Uganda’s U-19 cricket team, the Baby Cricket Cranes, survived being demoted to Division 1 after a series of underwhelming performances at the World Cup Qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Baby Cricket Cranes came into the tournament ranked higher than everyone else, and favorites to earn a spot in the World Cup in Sri Lanka, but they were unable to live up to their billing.
They lost to rivals Kenya in their penultimate game, and then to minnows Sierra Leone in their final match.
That loss put Uganda in danger of being relegated, but they were saved by Tanzania, who defeated Sierra Leone by 6 wickets in their final match.
Uganda finished third in the tournament, which was enough to secure their safety.
Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Tanzania were relegated while Namibia won the tournament to qualify for the World Cup.
Coach Admits Campaign Was a ‘Disaster’
Baby Cricket Cranes coach Emmanuel Isaneez admitted that the campaign had been a “disaster.”
“The coaching structure has a lot to deal with when we get back home,” he said. “We expected so much, but it turned out to be a disaster.
“But we will keep our heads up because this is a progressive thing. We have learnt through the tournament, we have taken lessons.”
Emmanuel Isaneez
Courtesy Photos
