Uganda Cricket Association, UCA has summoned a total of eighteen players for the national senior women’s cricket team, the Victoria Pearls who are set to take part in the Kenya Women’s T20 Invitational tournament that will be held in Nairobi between Dec 12 and Dec 22.
The summoned squad includes five players namely Esther Iloku, Immy Nakisuyi, Stephanie Nampiina, Proscovia Alako and Irene Alumo who make their return to the national team. The quintet had been suspended due to disciplinary issues.
Malisa Ariokot, Lorna Anyait and Kevin Amuge earn their promotion from the U19 side.
The trio has been rewarded for their brilliant display at the U19 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers that were held in Botswana in September. Jackline Nakayovu from Wanderers earns her first national team call up.
This will be the national team’s first engagement since the Kwibuka tournament in Rwanda four months ago, and UCA’s developmental manager Davis Turinawe says the tournament comes at the right time.
“This is a really good gesture by cricket Kenya. It comes at a very right time since the girls have been out of action for quite some time now. Aside from the league games, the girls haven’t played any cricket since the Kwibuka.
“This tournament will help us guage how far we have come and if we can still play as a team. It is also a chance for the girls to showcase their talent out there. Plus it is a ranking event so we are taking it seriously.”
The team is set to start training on Monday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval as they prepare for the tournament that is set to attract among others Asians countries.