Uganda: The Uganda Cricket Team head Down Under.

New Vision reports

Uganda optimistic ahead of qualifier

                                       

THE national cricket team starts their ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2014 (CWCQ), in New Zealand from January 13 to February 1, 2014 determined to storm the final stage by finishing in the top two of their group of the 10 nation showdown.

Canada, Hong Kong, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates are the other teams attempting to qualify for the tournament that will be played in New Zealand and Australia from 14 February to 29 March 2015. The 10 full members of the ICC along with Ireland and Afghanistan make up the 12 nations so far with the finalist and runner up to be added following this tournament.

Uganda pooled in Group B opens their test against Netherlands at the Mount Maunganui Bay Oval on January 16 before facing Papua New Guinea, Kenya and finish their group stage fixtures against Namibia at the same venue.

Actually looking at the promotional flyer the first practice match is in 4 days time.That isn't a lot of time to get over jet lag.

Frank Nsubuga the team vice-captain voiced his optimism at the team flag off by the National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa on Wednesday morning at Lugogo.

It will be a huge ask of the Ugandan team. The ICC provides a bit of history. 

" From the teams that will do battle in New Zealand, Kenya has played in the ICC Cricket World Cup on five consecutive occasions (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011); Canada played in 1979, 2003, 2007 and 2011; the Netherlands in 1996, 2003, 2007 and 2011; Scotland in 1999 and 2007; the UAE has played once, in 1996; and Namibia played in 2003."

"We are determined and the boys are set. We have worked on our fitness and batting which were the major problems in our last outing," Nsubuga stated.

The ICC have not written the team off:

" Uganda skipper Davis Arinaitwe Karashani, who was adjudged player of the tournament of Pepsi World Cricket League Division 3 in April 2013, will be hoping Roger Mukasa, Benjamin Musoke, Frank Nsubuga, Laurence Sematimba and Charles Waiswa, who all played in the ICC CWCQ 2009, can form an experienced nucleus. Uganda will be hoping to break a jinx and qualify for its maiden ICC Cricket World Cup, having not advanced to the last three editions."  

Nsubuga further added that the return of bowler and lower order batsman Deus Muhumuza, wicket keeper batsman Lawrence Ssematimba and then middle order batsman Benjamin Musoke is a big boost to the team's performance.

"The return of Musoke who is much experienced has strengthened our middle order which is an added advantage to the team considering the other experienced players," Nsubuga stressed.

NCS secretary Jasper Aligawesa urged the team to front their interest first while playing in New Zealand if they are to attain victory.

"Remember when you win it means you and Uganda cricket will get richer but Uganda just gets the glory and pride, so go and play without tension but focused on that wealth to give the remaining 34 million people here pride, "Aligawesa stated.

The event falls into the same window as the Indian tour of New Zealand and as such seems to have been scheduled for secondary venues. It has also had no publicity in NZ I am aware of. That is a shame as I am sure the team will become by default the choice team of most Africans living in NZ from the Great Lakes Region. Trust me we have just been playing and beating the West Indies and for the when it comes to playing NZ they are an African Team if you listen to the ex-pat Africans.

                                                                                The Uganda Cricket Team

The team: Davis Arinaitwe Karashani (cpt), Roger Mukasa, Benjamin Musoke, Frank Nsubuga, Lawrence Ssematimba, Charles Waiswa, Brian Masaba, Deus Muhumuza, Roger Mukasa, Philemon Selowa Mukobe, Abram Ndhlovu Mutyagaba, Patrick Ochan, Farouk Ochimi, Richard Gideon Okia, Raymond Otim, Almuzahim Hamza Saleh.