The African Champions left this afternoon for Netherlands to take part in the Global Qualifiers where they will compete against seven other nations for two world cup slots.
The eight nation competition has six regional winners PNG (Pacific Asia), Scotland (Europe), Thailand (Asia), UAE (Emirates), hosts Netherlands facing off with two test nations Ireland and Bangladesh to join the big teams at the world cup later this year in West indies.
The technical team of Francis Ndege and Grace Mutyagaba made only one change from the side that was victorious in Namibia Naomi Kayondo missing out due to studies with Prico Nakitende taking her place. Kevin Awino remains captain and she will be assisted by Janet Mbabazi in the first major ICC tournament for Uganda out of Africa.
Since the victory in Namibia the side has had two important build tours in Tanzania and Zimbabwe in which they were able to dominate and emerge winners.
KEY PLAYERS
Gertrude Candiru who was the MVP at the African qualifiers in Namibia last year will be one of the key players for the lady cricket cranes. She scored very important runs batting in the middle mixing powerful hitting with controlled aggression but her form with the ball was important in breaking up partnerships. There were no suprises when she is one of the Ugandan players chosen as part of the ICC Global development squad.
The 2018 Mehta T20 league MVP Immaculate Nakisuyi is the other key player for the lady cricket cranes, despite her age the very shy Immy as she is known by her team mates is a big game player. She was vital in the semifinal win over Kenya in Namibia scoring a match winning 25 runs off only 14 balls to help the lady cricket cranes make the final. She just helped her club side Aziz Damani Masaka win the Mehta Ladies t20 league and she goes to tournament in very fine form. She is the other player from Uganda that was selected as part of the ICC Global development squad.
Opening bowler Carol Namugenyi one of the most experienced players on the side will be vital with the new ball, her line and control tormented teams in the build up tour in Zimbabwe.
Youngsters Rita Musamali and Stephanie Nampiina are fine all rounders who should take this chance to show the world their potential, Musamali has the potential to bat long suffering for her team while the other players go for slogs while Nampiina has become confident with her leg spinners.
TEAM STRENGTH
The side has a lot of all rounders with a very long tail, any given 11 players are very capable run scorers and this means the team does not have to rely on only one single player. The mix of youth and experience has energised the side with the senior players stepping up when they are needed but also allowing the young players such Immaculate Nakisuyi to flourish.
THE WEAKNESS
The lack of sufficient runs from the top order sometimes hurts the full batting potential of the side as the powerful players have to rebuild and be cautious in their approach.