Uganda and PNG in top of the table clash
THERE is little reason why Uganda’s march to the finals of the ongoing International Cricket Council Division 3 World Cricket League in Argentina should suffer its first setback against Papua New Guinea (PNG) today.
By Charles Mutebi
ICC Div 3 World Cricket League
Argentina today 5pm
Uganda v Papua New Guinea
Argentina v Afghanistan
Hong Kong v Cayman Islands
THERE is little reason why Uganda’s march to the finals of the ongoing International Cricket Council Division 3 World Cricket League in Argentina should suffer its first setback against Papua New Guinea (PNG) today.
True, PNG are tied on points with Uganda after a perfect start but their victories, against the Cayman Islands and Argentina, came against the minnows of the tournament.
By contrast, Uganda are strong favourites especially after their 14-run win over Afghanistan on the opening day. Today, PNG’s title credentials will be put to the metal and their player of the tournament so far knows it.
“I think there’s still a long way to go, but two wins from two games is good,†said Rarua Dikana after PNG’s 21 run victory against Argentina on Sunday.
Dikana claimed 5-5 against Argentina to take his tournament total to an impressive 10-19 but knows his country will need more to stand a chance today.
“We still have a lot of improvements to make, especially in our batting, and we need to play better against Uganda,†he said.
The medium pace bowler has fully exploited the turning wickets of Corimayo and Belgrano – the venue for today’s encounter – but Uganda possess a harmful weapon of their own in Kenneth Kamyuka. Kamyuka hit a fiver against Afghanistan to take his overall tally to eight and is just two wickets shy of Dikana’s.
However, it is the gulf in batting class that tilts this encounter heavily in Uganda’s favour. Uganda have managed 321 runs compared to PNG’s 249, both totals from two matches played in a chasing position and otherwise.
Frank Nsubuga will be out injured while Charles Waisswa is in the fray for his first match.
Both countries pre-match confidence is just about level but chances are higher on Uganda’s remaining intact by the end of the contest.
Cayman Islands 104 Uganda 106-1 Uganda won by 9 wickets
PNG 127 Argentina 106
Papua New Guinea won by 21 runs
Today: Uganda v PNG
Wednesday: Hong Kong v Uganda
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: Argentina v Uganda
Saturday: Play-offs
P W L Pt NRR
Uganda 2 2 0 4 +1.33
Papua N.G 2 2 0 4 +1.25
Hong Kong 2 1 1 2 +0.76
Afghanistan 2 1 1 2 -0.01
Argentina 2 0 2 0 -1.85
Cayman Isle 2 0 2 0 -2.91
ICC Div 3 World Cricket League
Argentina today 5pm
Uganda v Papua New Guinea
Argentina v Afghanistan
Hong Kong v Cayman Islands
THERE is little reason why Uganda’s march to the finals of the ongoing International Cricket Council Division 3 World Cricket League in Argentina should suffer its first setback against Papua New Guinea (PNG) today.
True, PNG are tied on points with Uganda after a perfect start but their victories, against the Cayman Islands and Argentina, came against the minnows of the tournament.
By contrast, Uganda are strong favourites especially after their 14-run win over Afghanistan on the opening day. Today, PNG’s title credentials will be put to the metal and their player of the tournament so far knows it.
“I think there’s still a long way to go, but two wins from two games is good,†said Rarua Dikana after PNG’s 21 run victory against Argentina on Sunday.
Dikana claimed 5-5 against Argentina to take his tournament total to an impressive 10-19 but knows his country will need more to stand a chance today.
“We still have a lot of improvements to make, especially in our batting, and we need to play better against Uganda,†he said.
The medium pace bowler has fully exploited the turning wickets of Corimayo and Belgrano – the venue for today’s encounter – but Uganda possess a harmful weapon of their own in Kenneth Kamyuka. Kamyuka hit a fiver against Afghanistan to take his overall tally to eight and is just two wickets shy of Dikana’s.
However, it is the gulf in batting class that tilts this encounter heavily in Uganda’s favour. Uganda have managed 321 runs compared to PNG’s 249, both totals from two matches played in a chasing position and otherwise.
Frank Nsubuga will be out injured while Charles Waisswa is in the fray for his first match.
Both countries pre-match confidence is just about level but chances are higher on Uganda’s remaining intact by the end of the contest.
Cayman Islands 104 Uganda 106-1 Uganda won by 9 wickets
PNG 127 Argentina 106
Papua New Guinea won by 21 runs
Today: Uganda v PNG
Wednesday: Hong Kong v Uganda
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: Argentina v Uganda
Saturday: Play-offs
P W L Pt NRR
Uganda 2 2 0 4 +1.33
Papua N.G 2 2 0 4 +1.25
Hong Kong 2 1 1 2 +0.76
Afghanistan 2 1 1 2 -0.01
Argentina 2 0 2 0 -1.85
Cayman Isle 2 0 2 0 -2.91