Sunday, 20th May 2018
Division 1
Lugogo Oval
Aziz Damani Vs Ceylon Lions – 10:30am
Defending Champions Aziz Damani made light work of newly promoted Premier winning by more than 200 runs but this weekend they face a stronger opposition in Ceylon Lions.
Their spin attack wrapped the Premier with national team front line spinner Henry Ssenyondo picking 8 wickets of the 10 available. This meant that Damani had some unused resources with the pace bowlers having nothing to do last Sunday.
They have had a perfect start to the defence of their title winning their three games thus far but in Ceylon Lions they face an opponent who has the potential to halt that unbeaten run.
Ceylon Lions opened their season with a win over KICC but they had their points taken away because of a case of unregistered players and since then they have failed to register any win. The numbers for now might not be in their favour but Ceylon Lions are loaded with alot of talent in their line up, collectively they are a good side and only need each one of them to put their hand up.
Ceylon Lions is one of the most balanced sides in the top flight with a mix of both capable bowlers, all rounders and batsmen and alot is still expected from national team opening batsman Simon Ssesazi who was in form in the opening games. Arnold Otwani who joined from Damani has been scoring runs alone and will need help from Lawrence Ssempijja, Jonathan Ssembanja and Agaba Eddie to deal with a potent Damani bowling line up.
Charles Waiswa has not had alot to do since joining Damani but this weekend he might be needed to marshal the bowling attack with Bilal Hassan, Riazat Shah and the younger Kenneth Waiswa. As it has been since the season started Henry Ssenyondo has been the go to player for Damani and if the Ceylon Lions batsmen can neutralise his threat they might be able to put on a big score.
Fred Achelam and Steve Tikolo missed the victory against Premier but they are available for this game incase they are needed by the team. Damani is spoilt for choice interms of resources and they are favorites to win the game but Ceylon Lions are not a team that comes to make up numbers. If Damani are able to win this game they will be pulling away from their closet rivals but a lose for Ceylon Lions will be dragging them towards the bottom of the table a place they dont want to be.
