Ex-Zim coach tips Uganda on fielding

By Charles Mutebi 

THE enduring obsession for national cricket is scoring runs. But the advice from Stephen Mangongo is that building around Uganda’s bowling and fielding prowess may be the wiser strategy going forward. 

Mangongo, dropped last week as Zimbabwe head coach in the course of a seven-day tour to Uganda with the Takashinga Cricket Club, advised the Cricket Cranes to take pride in their strengths after getting a good look at what they are capable of. 

“You are a very good bowling side,” Mangongo told the UCA Select XI loaded with several Cranes players after their 167-run loss to Takashiga in the final game of the series. 

“You are also an exceptionally good fielding side. You are very athletic and there are plenty of runs that you have saved during our games because of that.” 

Then he nailed his point: “You have to begin winning games through your bowling and fielding. You need to set targets for every opponent because you are good enough to do that. You have to say, ‘we are keeping these guys at 200 or 220’ runs. You have to bowl with a target in mind every time you step on the pitch”. 

Mangongo’s advice was delivered in the post-tour pep talk with Uganda’s players, alongside Takashinga captain and Zimbabwe spinner Prosper Utseya, Takashinga coach Emmuanuel Dube and patron Givemore Makoni. 

It was a slight departure from the usual response to the question of what Uganda should do about their batting flaws. Normally, the reaction is one of resignation, with the argument being that until Uganda find a way of developing complete batsmen, sustained success will remain a pipe dream. 

However, Mangogo’s tip if Uganda (who head for the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in two weeks) are not able to bat their way to the top, let them bowl and field their way there.