PRESS RELEASE
Uganda’s itinerary for the Castle Lite Series against Namibia has been released. The bilateral series, scheduled to run from April 2-9 in Windhoek, has five matches; three Twenty20 Internationals and two 50-over (Limited Over) matches penciled in.
Both countries are preparing for challenging international engagements in the next couple of months with the Namibians just seven months away from their T20 World Cup campaign in India, while both countries are preparing for 2022 T20 World Cup qualifying, and are deep into 2023 World Cup pathways events. Uganda is atop the ICC World Cricket Challenge League B after winning five out of five in Oman 2019 and also hunting for T20 global recognition on the African continent.
Cricket Cranes 21-man contingent is set to arrive in Windhoek on Good Friday and will play a T20I in the afternoon on Holy Saturday. They return to the Wanderers Cricket Ground on Easter Monday with two highly-anticipated T20Is that will form the core of the series and forthwith have ICC ranking status.
On April 7, codes will be changed from T20s to the 50-over format as the two nations pit their wits against each other in the day-long format. The other rubber will be played on April 8 before the team flies out of the Hosea Kutako International Airport on April 9.
The short tour has a bumper schedule and it will test the team’s fitness levels, mental fortitude, and abilities in the coastal desert nation of Southern Africa. Cricket Namibia has confirmed that the tour matches will be streamed live as there will be no fans allowed in the stadium as per the Covid-19 restrictions on sports.
Elsewhere;
Less than a month after Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) handed ‘Grade A’ contracts to 12 players that had impressed since the Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings were relaxed last October, the association has boldly come out to cater for 12 more players that will form the core of the Uganda ‘A’ side.
Former U-19 skipper Frank Akankwasa, a hard-hitting all-rounder, has been given the captaincy mantle from an outfit that also has senior player Jonathan Ssebanja, another ex-Baby Cricket Cranes captain Derrick Bakunzi, Richard Agamiire, who was part of the successful voyage to Oman for Round One of the ICC World Cricket Challenge League B in 2019 and hardworking paceman Harsh Panchal.
“We would like to look after everyone,” exclaimed coach Laurence Mahatlane. “Unfortunately we cannot do it for all of them at once. We have to remunerate them as per the work they put in. In the end, our aim is to cater for 32 players.”
“The selection has been done depending on the hard work and discipline that players exhibited amongst other things that form the team’s culture. I am happy for the guys that have made the cut. Many of them are graduates of the U-19 side. It is a lesson for others not to give up and keep working hard,” chipped in UCA CEO Martin Ondeko.
UGANDA’S TOUR TO NAMIBIA ITINERARY
April 2: Arrival in Windhoek
April 3:
2pm: T20 International
April 4: Rest Day/Training (2-5 pm)
April 5:
10am: T20 International
2pm: T20 International
April 6: Rest Day/Training (2-5 pm)
April 7:
9 am: 50-over Match
April 8:
9 am: 50-over Match
April 9: Departure
NB: *All Games & Trainings Will Be Played At Wanderers Cricket Ground/ Turf Nets
Uganda A Contracts
Frank Akankwasa (captain), Gerald Mubiru, Trevor Bukenya, Jonathan Ssebanja, Siraje Nsubuga, Jonathan Kizza, Rogers Olipa, Derrick Bakunzi, Steven Wabwose, Richard Agamire, Perry Wazombe, and Harsh Panchal.
Cricket Cranes ‘Grade A’ Contracts
Frank Nsubuga, Simon Ssesazi, Ronak Patel, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Riazat Ali Shah, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Henry Ssenyondo, Emmanuel Hasahya, Arnold Otwani, and Brian Masaba (captain)