Takashinga leave Cricket Cranes with work to do

Takasinga captain Prosper Utseya (L) bowls to Cricket Cranes vice captain Brian Masaba in the third game of the five-match series at Kyambogo Oval last week. Keeping the wickets is Zimbabwean international Regis Chakabva. PHOTO BY Eddie Chicco.

What you need to know:

Takashinga coach advises Ugandan players to work on their personal development among other key aspects.

KAMPALA

Cricket Cranes captain Frank Nsubuga is a man of few words. And in the wake of a series of toothless displays by Ugandan select sides against Takashinga, the 34-year-old has refused to point a finger to any of his teammates.

Takashinga triumphed in four of the five tour matches with the Ugandans sides managing a solo one victory – a 23-run triumph - on the hurriedly-prepared turf at University Oval in Kyambogo that offered palpable assistance to the bowlers.

The Ugandan sides struggled to string together worthy partnerships, top order batsmen failed to tickle singles when bogged down by the superior Zimbabwean bowlers and the Ugandan pace bowlers struggled to make an impact throughout.

But with less than four weeks to the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division II scheduled for January 17-24 in Windhoek, Namibia, Nsubuga is not getting carried away with the moment. “When we play poorly in one series, it doesn’t mean we are a bad side,” said the spinning all-rounder, who finished with impressive figures of 7/78 in 20 overs from the two rubbers he played.

“Takashinga’s coach (Stephen Mangongo) acknowledged that we are a good fielding side and should use that basic of the game as a killer instinct in Windhoek. But he also said our batters must work on their technic and help the team set formidable scores in the regions of 270 plus if we are to win any games in Division II.”

Mangongo also opened up to Daily Monitor that the Ugandan players should work on their personal development among other key aspects of the ever-evolving gentleman’s game. “When a coach summons the team, players should turn up 15 to 20 minutes early. That discipline brings unity which will help them win games. Players should also work on their conditioning and don’t wait for coaches to give them specific training regimes,” the erstwhile Zimbabwe coach told Ugandan players.

“The wickets in Nambia are bouncy and if your bowlers give you early breakthroughs like two or three wickets in the first 10 overs then your spinners will help stifle the runs flow. When it comes to batting, the top four should look to play through the innings Roger (Mukasa) must focus on playing 40 overs every innings.”

And as Takashinga made merry at former national selector Robert Kisubi’s residence in Kololo at a farewell dinner on Sunday evening, the Ugandans were left with a plate full of work to do.

TAKASHINGA TOUR OF UGANDA
Full Tour Results – Five Matches
UCA XI 104/9 Takashinga 110/8
Takashinga won by 2 wickets
Takashinga 193/10 Uganda 176/10
Takashinga won by 17 runs
Uganda 99/10 Takashinga 76/10
Uganda won by 23 runs
Takashinga 383/4 Uganda A 273/10
Takashinga won by 110 runs
Takashinga 304/9 Uganda 137/10
Takashinga won by 167 runs