Uganda men’s Cricket national team, the Cricket Cranes, were astonishingly stunned in their opening game of the second round of the Challenge League B.
The Cranes suffered a 62-run loss against Jersey following a wanting display from the Cricket Cranes in front of a huge home crowd at Lugogo Cricket Oval on Friday.
“It is a disappointing result to take in. Jersey was a better side and we didn’t take our chances. To the fans, thanks for coming and pushing us,” Cricket Cranes Captain Brian Masaba noted after the game.
Uganda missed five glorious opportunities in; three dropped catches and two run outs break a couple of batting partnerships.
Jersey who did the batting first, posted a lofty 255 for the fall of six wickets thanks in a large part to Nick Greenwood who hit 80 off 93 balls, including 11 fours.
But Uganda, playing at home in a major tournament for the first time since 2017 at the Division Three, fancied their chances to chase down the score on what looked like a fast wicket.
Opening batsman Simon Ssesazi and number three Ronak Patel were outstanding with half centuries, but lacked enough support from their teammates.
What they said
“Ssesazi and Ronak showed up today which wasn’t the case with the rest of us with the bat. But, this is a marathon and we promise to bounce back stronger,” Masaba told Nnalubaale Sports.
And, Dominic Blampied pulled off a player of the match performance when he picked five wickets before Uganda were run out in the 46th over.
It’s a disappointing result for Uganda but Lawrence Mahatlane’s charges remain top of the six-team log, having won all the five matches in the first round held in Oman in 2019.
The side will be in action again this Monday at Kyambogo Cricket Oval as they entertain a batting powerhouse in Hong Kong.
Courtesy Photos
