Uganda will open their quest for glory at the 2022 U19 World Cup with a clash against Ireland in Guyana, West Indies.

Captain Pascal Murungi will be leading his colleagues as they face another challenge following two warm up games against Scotland and Sri Lanka.

Despite losses to both nations, Murungi is buoyed up with focus turning on the tournament proper in a tough-looking group B completed by opponents India and South Africa.

“For us every game will be like a final,” Murungi told ICC Media.

“We’ll try to give the best of ourselves. It is not about us saying ‘we have to win two games or it’s a failure’.

“Our mind-set is totally different, but we just want to show what we can do.”

Uganda is at their World Cup in 16 years, after last qualifying for the 2006 edition in Sri Lanka.

2022 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup – Uganda Under-19 squad:
Pascal Murungi (Captain), Isaac Ategeka (Vice-Captain), Yunus Sowobi, Christopher Kidega, Pius Oloka, Joseph Baguma, Matthew Musinguzi, Ronald Omara, Cyrus Kakuru, Brian Asaba, Fahad Mutagana, Ronald Opio, Ronald Lutaaya, Edwin Nuwagaba, Juma Miyagi

Officials:
1. Ivan Thawithemwira (Head Coach), 2. Robinson Turinawe (Assistant Coach), 3. Habiba Kulusum (Physiotherapist), 4. Rokani Sylvester (Team Manager), 5. Richard Okia (Selector), 6. Alvin Bagaya (Analyst), 7. Paul Kaheru (Board Representative), 8. Paul Nsibuuka Luswata (Government Representative) 9. Sam Walusimbi (Head of Delegation)

Baby Cricket Cranes Schedule pending progression to the Plate League or Super League;

15 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) Ireland vs Uganda | Venue: Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

18 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) South Africa vs Uganda | Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

22 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) India vs Uganda | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

South Africa have pledged to stick to aggressive and attacking kind of cricket against Uganda and other teams they will face the 2022 U19 World Cup in West Indies.

They face India, Ireland and Uganda respectively in the World Cup after winning their only warm-up game against West Indies by 7 wickets with 87 balls remaining.

Bangladesh are the current defending champions and South Africa could stand in their way of resurging as the back to back victors.

South Africa’s captain George van Heerden says his charges will be in pole position to claim the top honours if they play their brand.

“I think we’d like to be as aggressive and attacking as we possibly can without being frantic,” explained van Heerden.

“I think also depends on what the conditions allow. All the places are different here in the West Indies… we’ve looked at the average scores, and all those kinds of things, and some of them are much lower than what we used to back in South Africa.

“I think we’re going to have to be a little bit more measured but trying to stick to our brand of being attacking and aggressive,” he added.

Uganda head into their first game proper on Saturday with a clash against Ireland in Guyana. This follows their 231 run loss to Sri Lanka in their second warm-up game.

ICC Men’s U19 World Cup Groups:

Group A: Bangladesh, Canada, England, UAE

Group B: India, Ireland, South Africa, Uganda

Group C: Afghanistan, Pakistan, PNG, Zimbabwe

Group D: Australia, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies

2022 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup – South Africa Under-19 squad:

George van Heerden (captain) (Warriors), Liam Alder (Lions), Matthew Boast (KZN Inland), Dewald Brevis (Titans), Michael Copeland (Boland), Ethan Cunningham (Western Province), Valentine Kitime (Titans), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Gerhard Maree (Free State), Aphiwe Mnyanda (Warriors), Andile Simelane (KwaZulu-Natal Inland), Jade Smith (Warriors), Kaden Solomons (Western Province), Joshua Stephenson (Warriors), Asakhe Tshaka (Western Province)

Travelling reserves:

Hardus Coetzer (Titans), Ronan Hermann (Titans), Caleb Seleka (North West)

World Cup Preliminary Round
January 15th, 2022: Uganda vs. Ireland, Everest Ground – Guyana
January 17th, 2022: Uganda vs. South Africa, Queens Park Oval – Trinidad Tobago
January 22th, 2022: Uganda vs. India, Brian Lara Cricket Ground – Trinidad Tobago.

U19 World Cup Warm Up

Sri Lanka U19 vs Uganda U19 | 5:00pm EAT

The Baby Cricket Cranes will get tested again in another warm up game against Sri Lanka as they prepare for their first U19 World Cup match up in the West Indies.

The outfit will need to pick themselves up after they failed to go past Scotland in the first warm-up game ahead of the World Cup, losing by 109 runs.

Uganda faces Ireland in their first match of the World Cup on 15th in Guyana, Everest Cricket Club and Sri Lanka are bound to provide another perfect test.

The former started their campaign with victory in their warm up against Ireland despite overnight rain that shortened the match to 43 overs per side.

Uganda will have to pay close attention to Shevon Daniel who helped lead the Sri Lankans to the impressive 128-run victory. Daniel scored 75 from 72 balls, including eight fours and a six.

Daniel, who retired not out with the score at 122 for two was supported by Sadisha Rajapaksa (22), Pawan Pathiraja (25) and Ranuda Somarathne (33) – a total of 233 for seven from 43 overs – with three of the dismissals being run outs.

Sri Lanka proved lethal with their bowling as well, Ireland getting dismissed for 105 from 31.4 overs thanks to Matheesha Pathirana, Wickramasinghe and Wanuja Sahan (3/5) shinning.

Ronald Lutaaya, Juma Miyagi and Joseph Baguma among others will need to turn up for Uganda to stamp authority ahead of the finals proper.

Baby Cricket Cranes coach Ivan Thawithemwira says the team “shall use the next warm-up game against Sri Lanka to work on other team combinations.”

Uganda is making its 3rd appearance at the U-19 World Cup and is in group B alongside South Africa, India and Ireland. Sri Lanka are in Australia, hosts West Indies and Scotland’s group D.

Baby Cricket Cranes head coach Ivan Thawithemwira wants his charges to go all the way to the final and claim the 2022 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in West Indies.

Uganda qualified after claiming an eight-wicket victory over Tanzania at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre oval during the Africa Regionals.

This is the third time in history for Uganda to feature at the event after the Bangladesh 2004 and Sri Lanka 2006 editions.

Speaking ahead of the Cricket World Cup, Thawithemwira said he wants the boys to give it their all so as they can return with the holy grail.

“I think we have prepared well. We have gone through our bases. We have tried to cover our batting, bowling and various aspects in their detail,” he told media.

“I thin we are well prepared, trying to improve our fitness levels. We just wait to see how the results will be like.

“Ofcourse we have the psychological aspect and a lot of Psychological strength has to be taken into account which we have always tried to cover.

“We hope to play to the best of our abilities, we want to try and win that trophy. We are going to give it a very good fight. 100 percent of the effort that is required.

“We want to be victors just like any other team that is showing up.”

Uganda will open with a trial matches against Scotland and Sri Lanka in Guyana days before diving into the tournament proper.

The Scotland tie will unfold on 10th January 2022 at the Everest Cricket Club, before the Sri Lanka duel two days later at the Guyana National Stadium.

Baby Cricket Cranes Schedule pending progression to the Plate League or Super League;

15 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) Ireland vs Uganda | Venue: Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

18 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) South Africa vs Uganda | Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

22 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) India vs Uganda | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

The Baby Cricket Cranes have arrived safely in the West Indies ahead of the ICC U19 World Cup tournament.

The side arrived after embarking on a flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Trinidad and Tobago.

The team will quarantine for three days before moving to Guyana to play two warm up games against Scotland on January 10th and Sri Lanka on January 12th.

They will then face Ireland on January 15th for their opening World Cup game.

“The Baby Cricket Cranes safely landed in Guyana and will now quarantine for 3 days before taking on
@CricketScotland in their 1st warm up game on January 8th,” read a statement from Uganda Cricket Association.

The Baby Cricket Cranes safely landed in Guyana and will now quarantine for 3 days before taking on @CricketScotland in their 1st warm up game on January 8th.

Let's #Cheer4BabyCricketCranes pic.twitter.com/9qOsfwAvpz
— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) January 2, 2022

UGANDAS WORLD CUP SQUAD:
1.Pascal Murungi (Captain), 2. Isaac Ategeka (Vice-Captain), 3. Yunus Sowobi, 4. Christopher Kidega, 5. Pius Oloka, 6. Joseph Baguma, 7. Matthew Musinguzi, 8. Ronald Omara, 9. Cyrus Kakuru, 10. Brian Asaba, 11. Fahad Mutagana, 12. Ronald Opio, 13. Ronald Lutaaya, 14. Edwin Nuwagaba, 15. Juma Miyagi.

OFFICIALS:
1. Ivan Thawithemwira (Head Coach), 2. Robinson Turinawe (Assistant Coach), 3. Habiba Kulusum (Physiotherapist), 4. Rokani Sylvester (Team Manager), 5. Richard Okia (Selector), 6. Alvin Bagaya (Analyst), 7. Paul Kaheru (Board Representative), 8. Paul Nsibuuka Luswata (Government Representative) 9. Sam Walusimbi (Head of Delegation)

Uganda U-19 Fixtures: Warm-Up Games:
January 10th, 2022: Uganda vs. Scotland, Everest Ground – Guyana
January 12th, 2022: Uganda vs. Sri Lanka, Guyana National Stadium

The Baby Cricket Cranes made their way to the West Indies for the 2022 International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 World Cup after months of preparation in Kampala.

The contingent left for the Caribbean after qualifying for this years edition in Kigali where they claimed the ICC U-19 World Cup Africa Region Qualifiers defeating Tanzania on the last day by 8 wickets.

The team departed today aboard KLM, had a three-hour wait in Amsterdam – Netherlands, before getting onto an 11-hour flight to Trinidad & Tobago.

The team will quarantine for three days before moving to Guyana. Unfortunately, two players that were part of the qualification campaign; vice-captain Ismail Munir and Akram Nsubuga failed their Covid-19 PCR Tests conducted in Uganda and had to stay.

All-rounder Yunus Sowobi and top order batsman Fahad Mutagana were drafted in as replacements to make the full Ugandan contingent comprising of 15 players and 9 officials.

Uganda will play two warm up games against Scotland on January 10th and Sri Lanka on January 12th before taking on Ireland on January 15th for their opening World Cup game.

Uganda U-19 Fixtures: Warm-Up Games:
January 10th, 2022: Uganda vs. Scotland, Everest Ground – Guyana
January 12th, 2022: Uganda vs. Sri Lanka, Guyana National Stadium

The Baby Cricket Cranes could face South Africa and India at the U19 World Cup without fans after the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the event met a week ago.

The pair of games will be played on dual-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) which is currently locked down to spectators at sports events.

According to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Douglas Camacho, fans may not be allowed next month due to COVID 19 restrictions for the T&T leg of matches.

However, there could be an opening if the country’s Prime Minister, (Dr Keith Rowley) opens up before the tournament starts on 14th January.

“At this stage, no spectators will be allowed,” Camacho told Guardian Media Sports.

“If between now and when the tournament happens, we open up and we’re hoping the next time an official update is given to the country by the Prime Minister, (Dr Keith Rowley) maybe we will hear that team sport is allowed to participate in a controlled environment where we make the venues – selected venues of course – safe zones where they will be allowed in and if that is the case and if spectators are allowed as a proportion of the crowd with the necessary social distancing then we would have. Otherwise, at this stage, the reality is there will be no spectators.”

Cricket West Indies (CWI) had announced that there will be free entry to watch all the Under-19 World Cup matches across the region but T&T could be an exception.

Multiple venues across T&T will be used for 22 matches (10 group and 12 Plate matches), and training that is to say; the Queen’s Park Oval, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Diego Martin Sporting Complex, National Cricket Centre and the Sir Frank Worrell Ground at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

16 teams will play 64 matches in the tournament with Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Kitts and Nevis also hosting matches.

The 14th edition of the tournament to be staged in the West Indies will run from January 14 to February 5. 16 warm-up matches will take place between 9 and 12 January in St Kitts and Nevis and Guyana.

ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup Groups:

Group A – Bangladesh, England, Canada, United Arab Emirates

Group B – India, Ireland, South Africa, Uganda

Group C – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe

Group D – Australia, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies

Baby Cricket Cranes Schedule pending progression to the Plate League or Super League;

15 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) Ireland vs Uganda | Venue: Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

18 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) South Africa vs Uganda | Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

22 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) India vs Uganda | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

The Uganda Cricket U19 team also known as the Baby Cricket Cranes have entered a bio-bubble at Hawai Resort in Entebbe ahead of the World Cup in West Indies.

The team has been training at Lugogo for the past couple of months since their success in Rwanda where they qualified in the available African slot.

They will be making their 3rd appearance at the U-19 World Cup after the 2004 and 2006 editions where the country also featured.

According to Uganda Cricket Association, after Covid-19 tests, the team was split into two groups as they took to their paces this morning.

The reason for the split is to minimise contact, until the team flies out on Sunday Jan 2nd.

“The team entered its final bubble with the players separated in two groups to minimise contact, all trainings are non contact as well untill [sic] they team flies out on Sunday Jan 2nd,” read a tweet on the Federation’s social media.

Uganda in Group B alongside India, South Africa and Ireland. All the 14 players who were part of the victorious side in Rwanda made the squad, with all-rounder Edwin Nuwagaba the only new addition.

Uganda’s Group Fixtures

Jan 15: Uganda U-19 vs. Ireland U-19
Jan 18: Uganda U-19 vs. South Africa U-19
Jan 22: Uganda U-19 vs. India U-19

Uganda U19 ICC World Cup squad

Pascal Murungi (Captain), Munir Ismail (Vice-Captain), Akram Nsubuga, Christopher Kidega, Pius Oloka, Joseph Baguma, Matthew Musinguzi, Ronald Omara, Cyrus Kakuru, Asaba Brian, Isaac Sanyu Ategeka, Ronald Opio, Ronald Lutaaya, Edwin Nuwagaba, Juma Miyagi.

Cricket Cranes bowler and batsman Dinesh Nakrani has been ranked among the World’s best wicket-takers in the T20 cricket for the year of 2021.

In a year that saw the T20 World Cup unfold, Australia winning their maiden trophy, Dinesh astonishingly makes third place just behind South African Tabraiz Shamsi (2) and Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga (1).

Dinesh shined this year in the T20s internationals picking up 35 wickets in 21 innings at an average of 10.68.

From 2019 when he debuted on the national team, Dinesh has picked most T20 wickets against rivals Kenya – 10.

His biggest haul this year was against Lesotho in Kigali when he picked 6 wickets with an economy of 1.75.

He also had a five-for against Seychelles with an economy of 2.00, iced with 3 T20I maidens in 2021.

According to CricketNext, Dinesh ranked higher than Maltese Waseem Abbas (4), Bangladeshi Mustafizur Rahman (5), New Zealander Ish Sodhi (6), Zimbabwean Luke Jongwe (7), Australian Adam Zampa (8), Bangladeshi Shakib al Hasan (9) and Pakistani Hasan Ali (10).

Uganda will be making their third appearance at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup next year after editions in Bangladesh 2004 and Sri Lanka 2006.

The tournament will run from 14 January to 5 February and Uganda will face India, Ireland and South Africa.

The Baby Cricket Cranes will travel between Caribbean countries of Guyana located on South America’s North Atlantic coast plus dual-island Caribbean nation near Venezuela – Trinidad and Tobago.

Uganda will open with a trial matches against Scotland and Sri Lanka in Guyana days before diving into the tournament proper.

The Scotland tie will unfold on 10th January 2022 at the Everest Cricket Club, before the Sri Lanka duel two days later at the Guyana National Stadium.

Baby Cricket Cranes Schedule pending progression to the Plate League or Super League;

15 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) Ireland vs Uganda | Venue: Everest Cricket Club, Guyana

18 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) South Africa vs Uganda | Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago

22 January 2022 | 17:00 (EAT) India vs Uganda | Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

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