Unknown qualities give Cricket Cranes chance to fly in Malaysia
Cricket Cranes players head for the coach to EntebbeAirport after being flagged off yesterday morning at the NCS headquarters at Lugogo. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
KAMPALA- The mood has gradually changed from failure to optimism for Uganda’s senior national men’s cricket team - the Cricket Cranes - over the last 11 months.
Uganda endured pain as the host nation bottled it to suffer relegation at the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division Three last May.
But Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) and coach Steve Tikolo stuck together in the dark days and have now rebuilt momentum.
Even if there was a downpour yesterday, the Cricket Cranes enjoyed Cafe Javas breakfast and flew out to Malaysia beaming with confidence, hoping to come out top at the six-nation ICC WCL Division Four which bowls off on Sunday.
“We are in the right frame and ready to do the job,” skipper Roger Mukasa said after receiving the national flag from National Council of Sports Assistant General Secretary David Katende, in company of UCA board members Jeremy Kibuukamusoke, Hanumant Katkar and Paul Kaheru at Lugogo yesterday.
This is Uganda’s second trip to Malaysia in four years. Then, Mukasa was the tournament MVP with 265 runs in six innings and 13 wickets as Cricket Cranes came second behind Nepal to qualify at the ICC WCL Division Three in October, 2014. Uganda is back in Asia with greater verve and the team will be vying to finish in the top two against the hosts, Bermuda, Singapore, Denmark and Jersey to return to three WCL Division Three.
“At the back of our minds and in our hearts, there is no doubt of how important this trip is to us,” said Tikolo.
“We have covered all areas to make sure we come back to Division Three. Our target is not only to qualify but win the trophy. My belief is that the team is ready for this assignment, we have worked hard in our trainings and tournaments in Rwanda, Qatar, India and the Saudi Arabia series since September.” Tikolo has made six changes from the team that crumbled last May; opting for youth over experience.
Arthur Kyobe, Davis Karashani, Lawrence Ssematimba, Arnold Otwani, Jonathan Ssebanja and Kamal Shahzad have been directly replaced by Simon Ssesaazi, Riazat Shah, Fred Achelam, Bilal Hassan, Kenneth Waiswa and Steven Wabwose.
“Let me make it clear that the new faces did not come in because of pressure from media or. They have earned their places on the team,” Kenyan tactician Tikolo stated.
The blend of youth and experience gives Uganda an vital new look.
“Most of the seniors are known. But the new players are on form and bring in unknown quantities which will trouble the opponents,” Mukasa said. Uganda begins its quest against hosts Malaysia on Sunday at the Kinrara Academy Oval, a side the Cranes beat by four wickets in Lugogo last May thanks to Irfan Afridi’s unbeaten century of 108 runs.
2018 ICC WCL DIVISION FOUR
Team Uganda Itinerary
April 29: Uganda vs. Malaysia
*Kinrara Academy Oval
April 30: Uganda vs. Bermunda
*UKM Oval
May 2: Uganda vs. Singapore
*Royal Selangor Club
May 3: Uganda vs. Denmark
*Kinrara Academy Oval
May 5: Uganda vs. Jersey
*UKM Oval
