By Innocent Ndawula
VICTORIA TRI-SERIES ITINERARY
Thursday, April 4:
3-5pm: Zimbabwe & Kenya Arrival at Nob View Hotel, Ntinda
Friday, April 5:
1-3pm: Official Training, Press Conference & Tournament Meeting
Saturday, April 6 - Lugogo Oval
10am: Kenya vs. Zimbabwe
2.30pm: Uganda vs. Kenya
Sunday, April 7 - Lugogo Oval
10am: Uganda vs. Kenya
2.30pm: Uganda vs. Zimbabwe
Monday, April 8 - Lugogo Oval
Rest Day/ Reserve Day
Tuesday, April 9 - Lugogo Oval
10am:Kenya vs. Zimbabwe
2.30pm: Uganda vs. Zimbabwe
Wednesday, April 10 - Lugogo Oval
10am: Free Morning
2.30pm: Final (1st vs. 2nd )
5.15pm: Prize Giving Ceremony
Thursday, April 11: Teams Departure
The battlelines have been drawn between Uganda’s Lady Cricket Cranes, Kenya’s
Lionesses and Zimbabwe’s Lady Chevrons ahead of the International Cricket
Council (ICC) sanctioned Victoria Tri-Series.
The Victoria Tri-Series, will have full Twenty20 International status as they are going to be featuring national sides as per ICC’s mandate to have all T20 games featuring nations attain that ranking.
All three teams will be using the Series, bowling off today until April 11, to prepare for the upcoming 2019 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier which erves as double qualifier for the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup and 50-over 2020 World Cup.
The hosts Uganda, as well as the opposition, will be looking to hit perfection before they head out to the ICC Africa Women’s World Cup Qualifier due May 8-13 in Zimbabwe.
Uganda have recently been on a high as they notched the Africa Women’s T20 Championship in 2017, the Zimbabwe Women T20 Challenge and Tanzania Bilateral Series, last year, enroute to representing the continent at ICC Womens’ World T20 Global Qualifier in Netherlands, where they finished sixth.
Uganda will miss Gertrude Candiru, an MVP as Uganda conquered Africa for this Series, as she is away in the Middle East but ‘old guards’ Barbara Mukankusi and Naomi Kayondo are back in the frame to strengthen batting which remains Uganda’s Achilles heel.
Zimbabwe with seasoned campaigners like poster girl Precious Marange, captain MaryAnne Musonda, Ashley Ndiraya, Salima Granger and wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa will be in no mood to exchange pleasantries as they look to avenge their previous losses to Uganda, in particular.
The visit is historic for Uganda Cricket Association, who will be hosting a Full ICC Member in Zimbabwe for the first time and UCA chairman Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasiira says he will host their officials to learn a few lessons from their set-up for the benefit of Uganda cricket in future.
Kenya coach Lameck Onyango has some stars; Sarah Bhakita Wetoto, Margaret Banja, Sylvia Kinyua, Daisy Wairimu, Queentor Abel and Veronica Abuga, who know a thing or two about the Ugandan league as they ply their trade for local clubs here.
Hisense,a Chinese multinational major appliance and electronics manufacturer, has added spark to the Series by offering 13 mobile smartphones worth Uganda Shillings Four Million (UGX 4M) to cater for Player of Match and Best Individiual Players’ awards. The games will be livestreamed in Africa and across the world, thanks to Deep End Sports Media, for the benefit of the ever-increasing cricket family, non-travelling fans and to help the ladies showcase their talents to bigger audience.
TEAM KENYA
Players:
Margaret Ngoche - Captain, Sharon Juma, Sarah Wetoto, Venasa Ooko, Queentor Abel, Mary Mwangi, Esther Wachira, Daisy Njoroge, Mercyline Ochieng, Sylvia Kinyua, Monicah Ndhambi, Teresia Mwangi, Veronica Abuga, Lavender Idambo, Ruth Achando Ambiyo
Officials
Lameck Onyango - Coach Lydia Kaparo - Team Manager
TEAM ZIMBABWE
Players
MaryAnne Mutsa Musonda (captain), Ashley Rutendo Ndiraya, Chipo Spiwe Tiripano, Precious Marange, Anesu Catherine Mushangwe, Nomvelo Sibanda, Tasmeen Salima Granger, Loryn Ntandoyenkosi Munashe Phiri, Josephine Nakai Nkomo, Chiedza Thabiso Mzembe, Modester Mupachikwa, Nomatter Mutasa, Christabel Chatonzwa, Chiedza Dhururu
Officials
Samkelisiwe Nkiwane - Manager
Adam Chifo - Coach
Sinikiwe Gava Mpofu - Asst. Coach
Austin Regai Karonga - Media Liaison
TEAM UGANDA
The Players:
Rita Musamali, Janet Mbabazi, Rachael Ntono, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Joyce Mary Apio, Stephannie Nampiina, Franklyn Najjumba, Kevin Awino (captain), Consy Aweko, Patricia Malemikia, Esther Ilukor, Damalie Busingye, Evelyn Anyipo, Leona Babirye, Maria Kagoya, Barbara Mukankusi, Sarah Walaza, Naomi Kayondo
Officials:
Habibu Mugalula (Assistant coach), Michael Ndiko (Coach), Habiba Kulsum Anguyo (Physio), Mary Makumbi Nanderenga (Team Manager)