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Following the overnight rain and early morning showers, a delayed start and reduced over the game was the most likely offering for the morning top-of-the-table clash between the Victoria Pearls and Tanzania.
Tanzania did the right thing in the 15-over game after winning the toss; elected to bowl first would have felt required to chase 80 runs for victory would have been easy on the back of the batting firepower to possess.
In summary, with the game evenly poised, especially in the run chase after ten overs with Tanzania requiring just over six runs an over for victory, ‘two runs of play occurred’ separated by about a minute.
First for Tanzania as on the 11.1 over with the fifth bowler Janet Mbabazi bowling, Agnes Joseph, on just 11 runs at the time, struck the delivery too long off, creating a half chance for Evelyn Anyipo to take but a minor lapse of judgment ended up not only costing the Victoria Pearls a much-needed wicket but two runs to the total.
The effect of those two runs meant Agnes Joseph was back on strike as she hit the next delivery to deep square-leg for four runs and went on to turn the over into a nine-run over, bringing the equation for Tanzania to 18 runs required off 18 ball – advantage Tanzania at this point.
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12:32 - 21.04.2023
VICTORIA SERIES Three in three for Uganda after nervy win against Tanzania
The Victoria Pearls put up a spirited fight in the field to limit Tanzania to 76 all out as they picked a win by three runs on Friday at the Lugogo cricket oval.
With three overs left in the game, Consy Aweko had fast used her resources and had just herself, Irene Alumo and Janet Mbabazi with an over each.
Brave call from the captain who opted to take on the responsibility for what turned out to be the change in fortunes for the Victoria Pearls.
Tanzania, who was costing home, smoothly went on to lose four wickets in that over, including two run outs and scoring just one run, which broke the camel’s back for Tanzania, allowing Uganda to win by three wickets.
The afternoon fixture was the last for the UAE as they played their first game against a fast-rising Rwanda team which would have potentially been a banana peel for the 15th-ranked women’s team.
The UAE took no chances and opted to bat first on a day four-wicket with conditions expected to deteriorate and managed to score 117 runs in their allotted 20 overs on the back of another cameo from Esha Rohit Oza and Kavisha who went on to be adjudged Player of the match.
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18:56 - 18.04.2023
VICTORIA SERIES Favourites Uganda, UAE quickly out of the blocks
Day one of the second edition of the Victoria Series bowled off with tournament favourites UAE and Uganda hitting the ground running with comprehensive victories over Kenya and Rwanda, respectively.
While at the halfway stage, Rwanda would have felt they had a chance to upset the pre-tournament favourites, the run chance started on the wrong footing losing Sarah Uwera and Clarisse early as the run chase never left first gear.
The positive for Rwanda is their young players continue to show good progress and will hopefully build on this valuable experience.
Kenya versus Uganda
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Tomorrow morning presents yet another East African derby with two teams at opposite ends of their trajectories, with the Victoria Pearls sitting right on top of the log while Kenya are yet to pick a victory in 7 Victoria Series games.
The game will allow Victoria Pearls to give a run to players that haven’t played yet.
For Kenya, there is a valuable experience for them to pick up for their young team in transition with the hope of rebuilding Kenyan women's dominance in a very competitive region.
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