Cricketers depart January 1 for World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand

By Norman Katende

ICC World Cup qualifiers, New Zealand

Warm-up matches

January 3-6: Training and unofficial warm up games

Jan 10: Uganda v UAE

Jan 11: Uganda v Canada

Uganda Group B fixtures

Jan 13: Uganda v Netherlands

Jan 16: Uganda v PNG

Jan 19: Uganda v Kenya

Jan 21: Uganda v Namibia 

Qualifying format

Top two qualify for World Cup

Top four gain/retain ODI Status

Position 5-8 stay in Division II

Bottom two joins Division III 

THERE will be no New Year celebrations and parting for the national cricket team at they are expected to depart for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers due in New Zealand on January 1.

Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) administration officer Martin Ondeko confirmed on Monday that all has been put in place for the team to fly to Australia, where they will connect to New Zealand for the tournament. Action is due, January 8 –February 1.

Uganda has been pooled in Group B with Namibia, Afghanistan, Kenya and Netherlands with Group A having United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Canada, Nepal and Hong Kong.

“We have been able to get some training grounds and we will also have two unofficial build up games before we play in the official build up games. It will help the teams get acclimatisation ahead of the tournament,” said Ondeko.

Ondeko said that they had already secured the visas for the two countries.

10 sides will battle out in New Zealand for the remaining two places in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and also for an opportunity to either qualify for Division One which comes with a one-day international status, Division II or Division III leagues.

UGANDA: Davis Karashani, Hamza Saleh, Richard Okia, Farouk Ochimi, Raymond Otim, Brian Masaba, Patrick Ochan, Philemon Mukobe, Benjamin Musoke, Deusdedit Muhumuza, Lawrence Ssematimba, Frank Nsubuga, Abraham Mutyagaba, Roger Mukasa, Charles Waiswa.