The Cricket Cranes, Uganda’s national cricket team, have embarked on an intensive training journey to fine-tune their skills and strategies for their inaugural appearance in the upcoming World Cup. Departing for Colombo on April 25th, the team then headed to the picturesque coastal city of Galle for a 15-day tour, serving as their ultimate training camp until May 11th.
Under the guidance of Coach Abhay Sharma, who hit the ground running with three training sessions within his first week in Uganda, the team is focusing on finding the right rhythm and cohesion. Prior to Sharma’s intensive training, the Cricket Cranes bonded over team-building activities in Jinja, including mountain climbing, to foster chemistry among the players.
In their quest to prepare for the global stage, the team ventured to India to sharpen their skills against fast and spinning balls, aiming to fortify their batting prowess. The return of Cosmas Kyemuta and Juma Miyangi injected new energy into the squad.
The Cricket Cranes also participated in the 13th edition of the All African Games, where they competed in Group A against formidable opponents such as South Africa, Kenya, and hosts Ghana. Led by interim coach Jackson Ogwang and batting consultant Craig Williams, Uganda’s performance was commendable, albeit highlighting areas for improvement, particularly in batting skills.
After a coaching transition, the new coach identified deficiencies in wicket-keeping and batting, emphasizing the need for intensive work in these areas. Eager to capitalize on their training opportunities, the Cricket Cranes, led by captain Brian Masaba, traveled to Sri Lanka with renewed determination and a clear focus on honing their skills, enhancing their presence, and refining their game strategy.
Masaba expressed confidence in the team’s readiness to tackle the challenges ahead, underscoring their commitment to excel on the world stage. The World Cup will be held in June, hosted by the West Indies and the USA, where Uganda will face stiff competition in Group C alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, West Indies, and Papua New Guinea.
The team’s officials include Abhay Sharma (Coach), Jackson Ogwang (Assistant Coach), Craig Williams (Batting Consultant), Steven Grace Tusiime (Analyst), and Charles Waiswa (Team Manager).
Tour Itinerary:
Uganda’s Tour of Sri Lanka
Result – Match 1 in Galle
Sri Lanka Devt 164/8 in 20
Krishan Sanjula 45 off 40
Juma Miyaji 3 wkts for 40
Henry Ssenyondo 2 for 31
Uganda XI 145/6 in 20
Dinesh Nakrani 39 off 31
Riazat Ali Shah 31 off 18
Alpesh Ramjani 31 off 27
Shiran Fernando 2 for 27
Sri Lanka Development won by 19 runs
Next Match: April 30th in Galle
