Uganda keen on making most out of Thailand scalp

The Lady Cricket Cranes. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • It is something that the ladies would love to display all through the tournament that goes until next weekend.
  • But coach Francis Otieno’s charges will have to contend with the inexperience at this global stage where they’ve never been.
  • The 29-run loss to UAE after Thursday’s warm-up match in Voorburg explains the tall order Kevin Awino and company face.

KAMPALA. Young and hungry is the perfect description to fit the senior national women’s team at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier that bowled off yesterday in Netherlands.

It is something that the ladies would love to display all through the tournament that goes until next weekend.
But coach Francis Otieno’s charges will have to contend with the inexperience at this global stage where they’ve never been.
The 29-run loss to UAE after Thursday’s warm-up match in Voorburg explains the tall order Kevin Awino and company face.
They must first make it out of Group B that has Scotland whom they faced yesterday, Ireland and today’s opponents Thailand if they are to get within touching range of the two available slots to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in West Indies come November.

But against the Asian opponents Thailand, the Lady Cricket Cranes ought to get the most of out this fixture at Kampong Cricket Club in Utrecht.

It is the lighter one on paper of the three as the nations from United Kingdom carry the favourites’ tag.
“Each match is important for us but we stand a bigger chance against Thailand than the rest,” said wicket-keeper Awino.
Indeed, they won’t fold meekly especially after in-form batter Immaculate Nakisuyi made a big six and two boundaries in her 27-ball 33 despite the failed attempt to reach UAE’s 128-5.

Africa’s T20 best Uganda are debutants here while Asia T20 queens Thailand finished fifth in the 2013 Qualifier and seventh in the 2015 edition.
In the warm-ups, Thailand beat the hosts Netherlands by 46 runs with opening batter Naruemol Chaiwai who turned 28 on Monday making 39 runs off 47 balls.

Their coach Janak Gamage is banking decent all-round performances. “We will not take any match easy and we will give our 100 per cent effort against all teams and we got the opportunity to play with strong teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Malaysia,” he said in an interview with ICC.