MCC V Uganda 3 day match - Match Report
by Steve Salisbury (Tour Manager)
The eagerly anticipated 3 day game between the MCC and Uganda took place from 22nd - 24th February at the charming Kyambogo Oval, Kampala in beautiful weather.
The toss has been significant in the previous encounters, as the pitch offers more assistance early on before drying under the intense African sun.
MCC captain, Jamie Dalrymple, won the toss and had no hesitation in inserting the Ugandan national side.
The MCC team in their whites Runs were hard to come by against the probing seam attack of Glamorgan’s Dave Harrison and Cheshire’s Adam Syddall. The bat was regularly beaten before Syddall finally trapped Kyobe LBW.
The first change of bowling introduced Dean Oosterwyk, a recent addition to the tour as replacement for the injured Alex Wharf.
The introduction of spin was always going to be the critical period of the game and the MCC and formerly Middlesex spin twins of Jamie Dalrymple (4-62) and Chris Peploe(4-35) produced a classical and first class demonstration of finger spinning to attacking fields on a pitch of increasingly variable bounce.
At lunch Uganda stood at 105 for 4.
Explosive strokes
Much rested on the shoulders of Ugandan’s in-form Raymond Otim and he did not fail his country, producing a dogged and patient 54 which provided the backbone of Uganda’s final first innings score of 220 all out.
MCC’s reply was initially sensational and explosive, Nottinghamshire’s Mark Wagh producing a stunning array of strokes to announce MCC’s intent, striking 37 off the remaining nine overs available on day 1 leaving MCC on 48 for no loss in reply overnight.
Day 2 saw a return to the hard fought encounter we have become used to in this highly competitive series of matches, the pitch offering assistance early on in the day, and an inspiring spell from Uganda’s Kamuka (3-36) prevented the hoped-for acceleration.
Wickets fell regularly, and at 112 for 4 at lunch the symmetry of the game and conditions was clearly apparent.
Nottinghamshire’s Bilal Shafayat produced the outstanding performance of the innings, batting with a runner he elegantly stroked 68* and steered the tail to within 27 of the Ugandan first innings total.
Uganda lead
Each session becoming increasingly tightly contested was evidenced yet again in Uganda’s second innings in the final session of day 2.
Adam Syddall and Jamie Dalrymple both achieved breakthroughs, but Uganda ended the day 79 precious runs ahead with 8 wickets in hard and so hence much for MCC to do on day 3.
Day 3 began with some absorbing and passionate cricket from both sides. Glamorgan’s Dave Harrison produced a herculean spell in extremely warm conditions - bowling in tandem with his new Glamorgan colleague, Jamie Dalrymple, he posed real problems and created several close and sharp chances to test the Ugandan batsmen.
The Ugandans responded wonderfully, Raymond Otim (30) and Ugandan captain Joel Olweny (56*) particularly proved equal to the challenge.
A cameo 44 by Frank Nsubuga saw Uganda able to declare at 184 for 7, setting MCC 223 to win in a minimum of 47 overs.
Competitive & friendly
A good start was essential to have any hope of achieving such a target.
Sadly MCC lost two early wickets before tea and acceleration became increasingly difficult in the face Uganda’s left arm opening bowler Charles Waiswa (2-16) and off spinner Davis Arinatwe (3-22).
MCC’s sixth wicket partnership of Jamie Dalrymple and ex Sussex and Glamorgan man Keith Newell provided late entertainment before the draw was agreed by the two captains with five overs remaining in the day.
Both sides enjoyed a convivial post match discussion, debating an intriguing, hard fought and engaging draw.
This fixture completed the series of matches against Ugandan sides.
All have been thoroughly enjoyed and highly competitive, embracing a pleasant end of play session of shared ideas, theories and much friendship. It has been a pleasure to share the spirit of cricket with such enthusiastic, talented and passionate cricketers.
The MCC now face the Kenyan U19 team in two one day matches, in Kampala, on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th February.
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