By Tim Kearsey
2018 ICC WCL DIVISION THREE - OMAN
UGANDA’S ITINERARY
Nov 2: Official Flag-off
Nov 3: Farewell Dinner
Nov 4: Teams Flies Out To Muscat
Nov 5: Team Arrives
Nov 6: Team Training
Nov 7: Trial/Warm-Up Match
Nov 8: Practice & Team Managers/Captains Meeting
Nov 9: Uganda vs. Denmark, OC Turf 2
Nov 10: USA vs. Uganda, OC Turf 1
Nov 11: Reserve Day
Nov 13: Uganda vs. Kenya, OC Turf 2
Nov 14: Reserve Day
Nov 15: Singapore vs. Uganda, OC Turf 1
Nov 17: Reserve Day
Nov 19: Oman vs. Uganda, OC Turf 2
Nov 20: Reserve Day
Nov 21: Team Departure
ABOUT PARTICIPATING TEAMS
Oman (5th in 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two)
Kenya (6th in 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Two)
Singapore (3rd in 2017 ICC World Cricket League Division Three)
USA (4th in 2017 ICC World Cricket League Division Three)
Uganda (1st in 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Four)
Denmark (2nd in 2018 ICC World Cricket League Division Four)
Ugandan Cricket has the spirit of the game in everything it does. Considering the challenges it faces and how the world of cricket evolves; then now is a special time for the nation of cricket lovers to move out of the shadows of its great East African rival Kenya.
At the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League (WCL) Division III in Muscat, Oman is where Uganda can impose the new brand of precision and power in their batting. Roger Mukasa whose brand of leadership can grow the team into a genuine One Day International (ODI) side in the new ICC structure of world cricket will need to ensure that high performance is achieved in all three disciplines of cricket. The batting, bowling and fielding will need to be at its best but Uganda are becoming an intelligent team with skill and winning instincts in depth.
Inspirational Leadership
Mukasa leads with a sense for winning cricket that is unique. His powerful ability to read when he embraces his own champion performances and tactical excellence. The instinct of using bowling plans and understanding the opposition will show that he can pressurise modern opposition batsman.
In the modern game there is no room for those that can be undermined and listening to an adept, experienced coaching team will give Uganda momentum to lead. This is a tough group of players where ego and self-preservation are second to the winning games as a team.
Head coach Steve Tikolo is growing a crop of talented batsmen far better in depth than Ugandan Cricket has ever previously seen. T20 cricket produces some powerful hitters of a cricket ball as was seen in Kigali at the ICC World T20 Africa B Qualifiers and has changed 50 over cricket to higher targets. Uganda boast that ability throughout the batting line up with a powerful and intelligent backbone.
The bowlers will have the weapons they need, there is skill in them that brings a uniqueness of winning the mental battles with every type of batsman wherever they go - once they ensure they are controlling the game.
You look at the statistics over the years – an international batsman is never really in against the Ugandans and they field with a tradition that surpasses convention.
Kenya Comparison
Where does this leave Kenya with its recent troubles as they try and reassert themselves in ICC WCL Div III? The irrepressibly natural East African Cricketer. Kenya may have to promote sportsmanship and the Spirit of Cricket to be able to invest in a sustainable future.
Kenyan Captain Collins Obuya carries with him a weight that will need every inch of his in-depth experience from Three World Cups in leading the team.
I don’t think he will flinch but is the batting legend of old going to be able to produce the runs whilst he ensures Kenya try and let their cricket do the talking?
Division III is probably in the most critical stage of world Associate Cricket in its history. Honest men show a way of expressing themselves and Kenyan Cricket faces Ugandan Cricket with a different set of values and brotherhood.
And with hosts Oman, USA, Denmark and USA in the fray, someone is certainly going to get a lesson.
Cricket Cranes Team For ICC WCL Division III In Oman
Roger Mukasa Captain (Batsman), Arnold Otwani (Batsman/Wicketkeeper),Hamu Kayondo (Batsman), Ronak Patel (Batsman), Dinesh Nakrani (All Rounder), Riazat Ali Shah (All Rounder), Deus Muhumuza (All Rounder), Irfan Mohammed Afridi (Bowler), Charles Waiswa (Bowler), Frank Nsubuga (Bowler), Bilal Hassun (Bowler), Henry Ssenyondo (Bowler), Brian Masaba Vice-captain (All Rounder), Kenneth Waiswa (All Rounder)
Non-Travelling Reserves
- Emmanuel Isaneez (Bowler)
- Fred Achelam (Batsman/Wkt)
The writer is Cricket Cranes’ Performance Coach.