Cricket: Uganda beats Kenya to go top

ICC Africa Under-19s World Cup Qualifier

Results

Uganda 231 Kenya 162

(Uganda win by 69 runs)

Botswana 113 Ghana 115/4

(Ghana win by 6 wickets)

Today (Wednesday)

Uganda v Botswana

Kenya v Ghana

The much anticipated "Baby Cricket Cranes" are certainly on cloud nine after securing a much needed 69 runs win against hosts and strong contenders Kenya Tuesday at the Jaffery Ground in Nairobi Kenya.

Uganda can now take a huge sigh as they now top the standings in a winner takes it all four team qualifier. They are also officially the only unbeaten team in the two round robin contest.

Opener Zephania Arinaitwe set the tone for Francis Othieno's boys scoring 42 from 38 balls as Uganda clearly looked set for another higher scoring innings.

Third batsman Steven Wabwose struck 44 but it was skipper Kenneth Waisswa's performance that made a big difference for a rather free scoring side. He smashed a decisive half century of 60 from 93 balls  before Siraje Nsubuga posted another near half ton of 43 as Uganda leaped forward towards the target of qualifying for the World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Gerald Mwendwa's 4 wicket haul was handy as Uganda were all out but then Uganda's figure was a score the Kenyans would not chase unfortunately for them. They have since not been able to score above 200 this Kenyan side.

Two half centuries from Thomas Ochieng  (54) and Sachin Bhudia (52) served them right on personal stats but lost as a team. Cricket is surely a team sport!

Uganda are currelty top on 6 points, two above Kenya as the first phase ends. Uganda resumes action Wednesday in the second phase against Botswana, a side they beat by 330 runs on day one.