Lady Cranes to Harare for Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier
May 02, 2019
The absence of reigning Africa MVP Gertrude Chandiru, having traveled away in the Middle East gives off an intriguing thought that Uganda will miss her a great deal.
ICC Africa Women's T20 Qualifier
May 3-13
Venue: Zimbabawe
The Lady Cricket Cranes are not naïve enough to expect gifts at next month's ICC Africa Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
But from their Victoria Tri series second best finish recently at Lugogo, are the defending champions ready to dominate Africa once again?
Perhaps the series is a small sample size to conclusively equate their abilities but certainly it's enough to open the debate as they fly out to Zimbabwe Sunday.
It was their last preparatory contest ahead of the Africa showpiece, one that had full ICC member Zimbabwe and neighbours Kenya.
The visiting Zimbabweans beat Uganda by 25 runs in the final.
Lady Chevrons expressed a feeling that they are getting to the level they need to win the Africa championship that will have Kenya Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, for Uganda, mistakes were admitted after their shortcomings.
"We have had a few changes in the team since winning the Africa championship in 2017. The series at home was a big opportunity for us to gel. We have identified our weaknesses and yes we shall work on them" said Kevin Awino skipper.
The national team selectors have incorporated four new players on the team; Maria Kagoya Sarah Walaza Evelyn Anyipo and Rachael Busingye. Walaza has been a revelation as a smart bowler having started out at Jinja SS.
Lady Cranes take selfies after flag off
Michael Ndiko had earlier admitted the need to improve on the mental game. "They need to learn how to play in different situations" he says when to be aggressive and when to be calm and composed"
The absence of reigning Africa MVP Gertrude Chandiru, having traveled away in the Middle East gives off an intriguing thought that Uganda will miss her a great deal.
Damalie Busingye Evelyn Anyipo alongside the duo of Sarah Walaza and Maria Kagoya are expected to fill the void left behind by Mary Nalule, Saidat Kemigisha and PriccoNakitende, the trio that disappeared from camp in Netherlands.
With the 5-12 May event fast approaching the Lady Cricket Cranes seek a top finish to progress to the global qualifier august and September in Scotland.
Team Uganda
Players: Kevin Awino (Captain), Janet Mbabazi (Assistant Captain), Immaculate Nakisuyi, Rachel Ntono, Damalie Busingye, Naomi Kayondo, Rita Musamali, Stephanie Nampiina, Joyce Mary Apio, Evelyn Anyipo, Consy Aweko, Franklyn Najjumba, Sarah Walaza, Maria Kagoya
Reserves: Barbara Mukankusi, Esther Iluko
Coaches: Habibu Mugalula, Michael Grace Ndiko
ICC WOMEN'S AFRICA T20 CUP: MAY 3-13
GROUP A: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Rwanda, Nigeria
GROUP B: Namibia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda
TOURNAMENT FIXTURES
Group A
5 May 2019
8:30am: Zimbabwe vs. Mozambique, Harare Sports Club
12:50pm: Nigeria vs. Rwanda, Old Hararians Sports Club
6 May 2019
8:30am: Mozambique vs. Nigeria, Harare Sports Club
12:50pm: Tanzania vs. Zimbabwe, Old Hararians Sports Club
8 May 2019
8:30am: Mozambique vs. Rwanda, Harare Sports Club
12:50pm: Nigeria vs. Tanzania, Old Hararians Sports Club
9 May 2019
8:30am: Rwanda vs. Zimbabwe, Harare Sports Club
12:50pm: Tanzania vs. Mozambique, Old Hararians Sports Club
11 May 2019
8:30am: Zimbabwe vs. Nigeria, Harare Sports Club
12:50pm: Rwanda vs. Tanzania, Old Hararians Sports Club
GROUP B
5 May 2019
8:30am: Namibia vs. Kenya, Old Hararians Sports Club
12:50pm: Uganda vs. Sierra Leone, Harare Sports Club
6 May 2019
8:30am: Kenya vs. Sierra Leone, Old Hararians Sports Club
12:50pm: Uganda vs. Namibia, Harare Sports Club
8 May 2019
8:30am: Kenya vs. Uganda, Old Hararians Sports Club
12:50pm: Sierra Leone vs. Namibia, Harare Sports Club
Email: kbalikuddembe@newvision.co.ug
Twitter: @casozi14