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Ssenyondo in priceless T20 wickets century club

Ssenyondo is now part of an exclusive club. PHOTO/EDDIE CHICCO 

What you need to know:

The ‘chinnaman’ bowler became the first-ever Ugandan player to hit the 100-wicket mark in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) after he picked 3/13 to help the country defeat Rwanda by 112 runs in a match reduced to 18 overs due to a rain interruption during the IL T20 Continental Cup in Kigali, Rwanda.


It is only when one lives long enough that they can appreciate the power of experience. Such is one life’s lessons and it tells when Henry Ssenyondo features for the senior national men’s cricket team. 

He is now counting 14 years as often the Cricket Cranes’ 11th batsman and as well, the pivotal left-arm orthodox bowler. Ssenyondo has mastered his craft and this week, he attained an iconic achievement.

The ‘chinnaman’ bowler became the first-ever Ugandan player to hit the 100-wicket mark in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) after he picked 3/13 to help the country defeat Rwanda by 112 runs in a match reduced to 18 overs due to a rain interruption during the IL T20 Continental Cup in Kigali, Rwanda.

Ssenyondo however, had muted celebrations when skipper Riazat Ali Shah took the catch of Martin Akayezu, on his 11 delivery of the spell at the end of the 13th over at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.

“I am extremely happy,” Ssenyondo told this paper in a chat. “Yes I knew, I was on 98 (wickets),” he said in response to the muted celebrations. The century of wickets has been recorded since 2019.

After the Rwanda match, Ssenyondo collected 101 wickets and conceded 1453 runs, making it an economy of 5.38 across 269.4 overs in 78 innings from 82 T20I matches he played.

Therein, were nine maidens and seven four-wicket hauls with best bowling figures of 4/4 against Botswana during the 2023 Continental Cup in Nairobi, Kenya.

“I just thanked God for the milestone and I was happy, you know. Reaching 100, probably I am the first Uganda to reach 100 and maybe in the Associates. But I am really happy. It’s not easy, especially for a bowler but I am happy to reach 100.”

Ssenyondo’s spell allowed Uganda to bowl out Rwanda for 83 runs in 16.1 overs. Uganda had set a total of 192-7 thanks to a quick-fire 44-ball half-century of 83 runs from opener Robinson Obuya which comprised six boundaries and as many sixes.

Uganda moved to two wins in two matches as Abhay Sharma’s side continued to pursue a successful title defence in Kigali. Ssenyondo, nicknamed ‘Master Wong’ by her teammates, took 49 wickets in T20Is in 2023.

Cricket Cranes have been with Ssenyondo all the way. PHOTO/COURTESY 

Joining the century club wasn’t easy though. “The 50th wicket is the one was standout one. From 50 to 100, it has been very quick but from one to 50, was the most important,” Ssenyondo remarked.

He recalls his 50th T20I scalp. “It was in Kenya, the same tournament. Again, it was against Botswana - left-arm spinner Mmoloki Mooketsi,” Ssenyondo stated. He finished with 20 dots, enroute to his career best T20I bowling figures.

At 31, Ssenyondo hopes he can add another century of wickets. “As long as I am still alive, I will fight and make sure I reach 200. Right now (Thursday), I need 99. I will keep fighting every time I get a chance. I feel I will fight 200,” he added.

Ssenyondo is the second African to join the T20Is wickets century club after Kenyan skipper Shem Ngoche, who as of Thursday, was ranked ninth. Ssenyondo was ranked 19th on that list led by New Zealand’s Tim Southee.

Ssenyondo’s younger brother Simon Ssesazi, also a left-hander, last year was the first Ugandan batsman to hit 1000 T20I runs.

Uganda will hope they keep the rhythm when they face Nigeria at Gahanga this morning.

IL T20 CONTINENT CUP - AFRICA

THURSDAY RESULTS

Uganda 192/7 Rwanda 83/10

(Uganda won by 112 runs via DLS)

Nigeria 185/5 Botswana 156/7

(Nigeria won by 29 runs)

WEDNESDAY’S RESULT

Uganda 164/8 Botswana 86/10

(Uganda won by 78 runs)

SUNDAY FIXTURES 

10.15am: Uganda vs. Nigeria

2.15pm: Rwanda vs. Botswana

MONDAY 

10.15am: Botswana vs. Uganda

2.15pm: Nigeria vs. Rwanda

HENRY SSENYONDO

Full name: Henry Ssenyondo Kakooza

Nickname: ‘Master Wong’

Date of birth: August 12, 1993

Batting style: Right-hand bat

Bowling style: Slow left-arm orthodox

National Team debut: 2010 ICC Trophy vs. UAE in Dubai

Jersey No.: 4

Favourite colour: White

HIGHEST T20I WICKETS

1 Tim Southee (NZ) 164 wickets in 123 innings - 2008-2024

2 Rashid Khan (AFG/ICC) 152 wickets in 93 innings - 2015-2024

3 Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) 149 wickets in 126 innings - 2006-2024

4 Inderbir Singh Sodhi (NZ) 138 wickets in 114 innings - 2014-2024

5 Mustafizur Rahman (BAN) 132 innings in 105 innings - 2015-2024

6 Mark Adair (IRE) 127 wickets in 88 innings - 2019-2024

7 Adil Rashid (ENG) 126 wickets in 114 innings - 2009-2024

8 Wanindu Hasaranga (SRL) 125 wickets in 74 innings - 2019-2024

19 Henry Ssenyondo (UGA) 101 wickets in 78 innings - 2019-2024