Wednesday, October 23 2013
By DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE
Muhumuza has had a dose of international cricket and he will not rest until he gets more. PHOTO BY D. BUGEMBE
KAMPALA- When the national cricket team to Dubai for the ICC World T20 Qualifier was named last week, three
‘big names’ including all-rounder Deus Muhumuza were not among the chosen 15.
And whereas batsmen Arthur Ziraba and Lawrence Ssematimba had been left out despite shedding some skin and
turning in decent shifts at the just concluded Marylebone Cricket Club Tour of Uganda, theirs was a case of not
being better than those selected.
For Muhumuza, the door, to bounce back into the national fold after missing out on last month’s South Africa
Tour, had been slammed right in his face.
The 24-year-old cut a forlorn figure after lunch that day (Oct 16) and understandably proceeded to cut short
his afternoon training session. “I didn’t know what to do,” said the Tornado star, who took the best bowler’s
gong with 18 wickets during the ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in July 2011.
“I felt betrayed. I know I have what it takes to perform at the big stage. If my bowling is bad, I cannot be
dropped for that. I am an all-rounder. I can score quick runs and field better than many.”
Pressed further to explain why he thinks he was dropped, the Busoga College Mwiri-bred talent said; “The collar
bone injury I suffered while fielding for Wanderers last year is the reason. I lost some yards of pace, became
wayward and wasn’t picking as many wickets.”
Nicknamed Baby by his peers, Muhumuza is positive that the selected team will do well in Dubai. “Our team is
strong enough to oust any Associate nation. Hopefully I can make the 2014 New Zealand cut.”
MUHUMUZA IN 2013
ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier: 94 runs & 5 wkts.
National T20 League: 145 runs & 13 wickets.
ICC World Cricket League Div. III in Bermuda: 47 runs & 1 wicket.
T20 East Africa Premier League: 24 runs & 0 wkts.
50-Over East African Cup: 7 runs & 1 wicket.
50-Over Multiple Industries National League: 111 runs & 11 wkts.
UCA 30-Over League: 55 runs & 2 wickets.
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