Ceylon Lions 151/9 in 32 overs beat KICC 113 all out in 31.2 overs by 38 runs
Simon Ssesazi
The left hand top order batsman has now scored an average of 40 runs every three game he has played over the last two months, including both international and local cricket, with two half centuries to boot. With 328 runs from 11 innings in the 2017 season, he finished eighth in the league. But all the signs point to a top three finisher this season. He opened his account for the 2018 season with a patient 45 off 65 balls in a reduced overs game.
30 of Ssesazi’s runs were boundaries, only 15 of his total score were off the frontline spinners Frank Nsubuga and Irfan Afridi.
Caution and Attack have become a vital aspect of his batting but his length of stay at the crease always determines his impact as a player. If he plays long, Ceylon will keep on the right end of the table.
With Otwani batting at 4, Simon has every reason to bat long, Otwani will allow him canter along, to big scores.
Arnold Otwani
Dropped from national duty, he seems to have refocused, and is trying to rebuild the temperament that saw him billed as the next big thing in top order batting. The mercurial right hander played an innings worthy of a marquee signing; 50 off 51 with 2 fours and 3 sixes, was the mark of a man looking to proving to his new employers that they made the right choice. But also, a sign that he may have gone back to the headspace that allows for run scoring, his prime purpose on this team.
With Otwani on form and batting at 4, Ceylon Lions may have found the adept batsman for the number, like Tornado Bee found one at 3.
Strikers CC 201 for 9 in 49 overs beat Challengers CC 160/10 in 43.4 overs by 41 runs
Ivan Thawithemwira
A surprise appearance on the team sheet for strikers, his first outing for his new club at number 4 unburdened by captaincy reaped a half ton. Walking in at 22/2 in the sixth over, part of a 23 run fourth wicket and 45 run seventh wicket stand that rebuilt the faulty start, Ivan may have added himself to the rising list of valuable numbers 3 and 4 on the season’s batting line ups.
It is early days, having proven to be a match winner for Challengers in past seasons, his game is built on patience at the start, when into a game, he is one of those players the opposition believes will get out next ball, but never does. He just digs in and bats on and on.
Strikers is likely to be one up, if he keeps his focus.
Frank Akankwasa
Taking captaincy early in his carrier seems to carry well with Akankwasa, he has led his team to an important victory, but the lessons learned must be studied and re studied. A captain must be a thinking cricketer, he must desist from standing around and letting games drift.
Wisdom dictates that he must cogitate upon the process that led to the decision for him to take the new ball and pick the dangerous Aneef Muhammad in the second over of the innings on to Amir in 26th and the 44th over when he picked Wabwose that brought the victory home.
Frank has followed in the footsteps of Davis Karashani who found himself at the helm of Club protocol early in his career; and would be well guided in seeking his counsel on building and keeping league winning form.
His batting form is far from what he is capable of producing but if it clicks, Strikers CC will become a formidable foe for many opponents.
Tornado CC 49/7 in 38 overs beat KC Budo 96/10 in 18.4 overs by 153 runs.
Patrick Oburu
The KC Budo opening bowler returned figures of 3/33 in 8 overs against a rampant Tornado in Jinja. A drifter over the seasons, and a bit nonchalant about his career. Going to Budo and taking the new ball should provide the spur to finding the kind of confidence and form that builds a good season. No doubt he will bowl many overs at KC Budo, he is their strike bowler and will find himself going against the top orders of most opponents.
The responsibility that comes with this dictates that he will then have to find the kind of form and approach to games that makes "things happen.”
Oburu is one of the few who many mentors won’t give a second look at, in Lugogo, but his impact on the Budo season has already been felt, how he carries this impetus forward with guidance will possibly set him in good standing for a possible call up to the Under 19 training squad, and possibly saving Budo from straight relegation fight in round 1 of the season..