MCC v Uganda - match report

by Steve Salisbury (Tour Manager)

• Listen to the audio match report (1.6 MB)

MCC tasted defeat for the first time on their tour to Uganda on Sunday, losing by 3 wickets to the Ugandan national team in an intriguing low-scoring 50 over battle at the Kyambogo Oval.

Asked to bat first by Ugandan captain Joel Olweny, the MCC lost opener David Adams in the second over, and struggled to build partnerships in the face of an impressive and varied Ugandan attack.

Left arm seamer Charles Waiswa caused all the batsmen problems and eventually finished with 3-46, whilst off spinner Franco Nsubuga bowled with immaculate control to pick up 3-24 from his ten overs. Beeny (36), Peploe (33) and Dalrymple (30) were the only players to make meaningful contributions and with wickets falling regularly, the MCC were finally bowled out for 173 in the final over of their innings.

Undone by extras

Defending a modest total on a pitch producing only occasional variable bounce was going to require some early inroads into the Ugandan top order.

Jon Wightman, impressive once again, delivered just that with the new ball, removing Lawrence Sematimba and Olweny with the total only on six.

But Arthur Kyobe and Benjamin Musoke then put on 76 to take the Ugandans almost halfway to victory. They were aided in their efforts though by some sloppy MCC bowling and a huge quantity of runs conceded in wides – in the end the 45 extras in total that the MCC conceded was to be the difference between the sides.

Chris Peploe Captain Dalrymple then brought himself into the attack and bowled a superb spell of controlled off spin bowling, taking 3-21.

With economical support from left arm spinners Chris Peploe and David Adams, the brake was suddenly applied to the Ugandan innings, and with wickets starting to tumble, a fascinating finish was set-up.

The required run rate never grew significantly but with Jon Wightman removing the obdurate Junior Kwebiiha for 38 with 20 runs still needed and only 3 wickets left intact, it seemed that the visitors might yet pull of an unlikely win. But Raymond Otim ushered his team home with a cool unbeaten 23, and to a hard-earned victory by 3 wickets with 9 balls to spare.

The MCC tour now moves into a period of coaching and rest days before the players return to face the Ugandan national side once again in Kampala next week.