Friday, June 16, 2006

Belated Overseas roundup:

Due to various reasons, I missed out on the overseas roundup at the beginning of the week.
In England, James Clegg continued his run of form with the bat in the Leeds League notching up another 50 as Fairburn comprehensively beat Newton Hill to stay top of the table. His venture into the next level up did not go so well however, as he was dismissed for a duck playing for the league team. He has a chance to bounce back again this weekend as Fairburn take on Nostel, their main rivals for the title who include Nick Oram (brother to Kiwi International Jacob) as one of their main players.
In Denmark, Amit Bhudia was involved with Herning's controversial loss to AB in their Division 1 match. AB set a target of 212 and held Herning to 124 (Bhudia made 14 - caught behind trying to square cut a wide delivery), but there may yet be a complaint made against AB by Herning for the use of rolling subs. Herning are not in action this weekend, and next weekend could see Amit playing against them as Kenya A's first match is scheduled for Saturday 24th June.
No news currently on how Hitesh Modi's finger is going, but I would guess that he may well be back in action soon.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Atul Shah Tournament - Not a Great Kenyan Performance

Looking back on the performance by Kenya A and the CCA XI in the Atul Shah Memorial Tournament, there is at first little to find that is positive. Kenya A won 2 matches of 4, while CCA managed only one victory. Neither team really came close to challenging eventual winners Uganda, who finished the tournament unbeaten and having proved a significant point.
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Especially worrying was the performance of both the Kenyan teams with the bat. While the pitches cannot have been great - only one score of 200 in 16 innings shows that the Coast groundsmen have a hell of a lot of work to do, it was never the less a disappointing effort by the Kenyans. There are batting positions up for grabs in the national team at the moment, but none of the players, with the exception Brijal Patel and possibly Timothy Muange, would have had the selectors taking notes. Patel is on the fringes of the Kenya team anyway - another good performance in Denmark would probably ensure his selection for the home series against Bangladesh, but he is not a new face. Muange had two scores in the 30s and two failures, so will need to do more to convince the selectors he is ready to step up a further level. At 22 however, there is at least a glimmer of hope there if he works hard on his technique. The only other Kenyan batsman to average over 20 for the tournament was Mohammed Fazal (CCA), but he is probably too old to be given a run in the A team. Tanmay Mishra, who would have been considered an automatic pick for the national side before this series, did not show the form that brought him to the fore in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. He will have a second chance against the Danes, and one would expect his class to show through there.
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Not surprisingly with such low totals in the matches, it is the bowling figures that give the most hope. Looking at either the leading wicket takers or the best averages sees Kenyan players taking the top four positions. Stewart Kayne (CCA) made his point to the selectors for inclusion in the squad to Denmark with 12 wickets for the tournament at 12.83, including the only 5-wicket haul. His teammate, Rashmi Gami also impressed with 10 wickets at the impressive average of 7.1. Kayne took his wickets at a strike rate of 16.17, while Gami was slightly quicker on 15. A big difference between the two was economy - Gami miserly at 2.84, but Kayne more expensive at 4.76. It would do the Kenya A team a lot of good to have these two in the side to tour Denmark. Gami has been on the fringes of the team already, and this indicates it is beyond time that he got a real go. Kayne has the added bonus that he can bat as well. He left it to his last innings to prove it, but this can only stand him in good stead if the selectors are going to tinker with the team arriving in Denmark in just over a week. Of the Kenya A bowlers, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Rajesh Bhudia, Hiren Variayi and Laxman Jadavji all did well, with Bhudia probably just the standout. If they are linked up with the two Coast spinners, they should prove a sufficient threat to the Danes. All that we will need then is for the batsmen to click. There will be two definite changes to the batsmen being taken on tour that had already been decided before the Atul Shah Tournament: Amit Bhudia, already in Denmark will get an opportunity to show what he can do. He is not having a great time for Herning so far this season, but has shown his quality in the past, and will be sure to have a positive impact. Also coming in to the team will be youngster Hafeez Manji, who will replace the disappointing David Maina.
The squad listed by the selectors to tour Denmark prior to the Mombasa event was as follows:
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B. Patel [Cpt], Lammeck Onyango [V.C], Nehemiah Odhiambo, Alfred Luseno, Maurice Ouma, Malhar Patel, Tanmay Mishra, Rajesh Bhudia, Ashish Karia, Alex Obanda, Laxman Jadavji, Hiren Variayi, Hafeez Manji, Timothy Muange, Amit Bhudia.
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My squad to travel would be:
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Brijal Patel (Cpt), Tanmay Mishra, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Maurice Ouma, Malhar Patel, Rajesh Bhudia, Ashish Karia, Stewart Kayne, Laxman Jadavji, Hiren Variayi, Rashmi Gami, Timothy Muange, Amit Bhudia, Hafeez Manji, Jadavji Jasani.
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Lameck Onyango and Alfred Luseno, originally named for the Atul Shah event never played, so it would seem strange to take them to Denmark if the same was going to be the case there. I suspect they may be being held back for national duties against Bangladesh. I would also replace Alex Obanda who averaged 4.33 from the tournament with Jadavji Jasani who averaged 16.75. It may be that it is too late for changes to be made, in which case those travelling get a reprieve, while Gami and Kayne must wait until next time. I hope for Kenya's sake that this is not the case.

Top Batting and Bowling Averages From the Atul Shah Tournament

Top 10 Bowlers (by bowling average):
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Bowler.......Team...Balls...Runs...Wkts....Avg......Str.Rte......Econ
R.Gami.......CCA.....150.......71.........10.....7.10.......15.00.......2.84
R.Bhudia....Ken.A..166.......84..........8.....10.50.....20.75.......3.04
H.Variayi...Ken.A..198.......74..........6......12.33.....33.00.......2.24
S.Kayne......CCA.....194......154........12......12.83....16.17.........4.76
A.Baig........Uga......194.......91..........7.......13.00....27.71........2.81
L.Jadavji...Ken.A...216.......79..........6.......13.17.....36.00.......2.19
F.Njunuga..Uga.....229......80..........6.......13.33.....38.17........2.10
D.Arinaitwe..Uga..222......96...........7.......13.71.....31.71.........2.59
H.Shani......Tza......90........55...........4.......13.75.....22.50.......3.67
Odhiambo..Ken.A..203.....129..........9.......14.33.....22.56.......3.81
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Top 10 Batsmen (By Batting Average + played >2 innings):
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Batsman.....Team...Innings...Not Outs...Total...Average...50s
1.J.Olwenyi....Uga.........4...............1.............147......49.00.......2
2.B.Musoke....Uga.........4...............2.............96.......48.00.......1
3.B.Patel........Ken.A......4................1............127.......42.33.......1
4.H.Saleh........Uga........4................0............117.......29.25.......0
5.A.Kakonzi...Tza..........4................1.............87........29.00......1
6.A.Baig.........Uga..........3................0............76........25.33......0
7.M.Fazal.......CCA.........4................0............94........23.50......0
8.H.Abdulla...Tza..........4.................1.............69........23.00.....0
9.T.Muange...Ken.A......4.................0............83........20.75......0
10.S.Kayne.....CCA........4.................0.............76.......19.00.......0
10.B.Halai......CCA........4.................0.............76.......19.00.......0

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Comments

In an effort to get the Forum a bit more active, I have disabled comments on the blog. Your views are still more than welcome, but I feel are better off in the Forum where everyone can continue to read them down the track and put in their own 2 cents.
If this really gets someones goat, pole sana.

Scorecard: ASM Final: Kenya A vs. Uganda 11/06/06

Uganda innings:
Joel Olwenyi………….......Ct..Muange………R.Bhudia………..1
Lawrence Sematimba….Ct..Muange………Karia……….……11
Hamza Saleh…………......Ct..R.Bhudia…….Jadavji….........39
Kenneth Kamyuka……...Ct..Muange……….Karia………….…5
Benjamin Musoke……...Ct..Karia………….Varaiya ……..….24
Akbar Baig……………......Ct..Karia……...….Jadavji………….33
Frank Njunuga…………..Ct..Obanda……….R.Bhudia……...39
Emmanuek Itaneez….….Bowled……………Odhiambo……..11
Raymond Otim…………..NOT OUT…......………………………..5
Davis Arinaitwe………....Bowled…….………R.Bhudia….…….6
Jimmy Okello…………....NOT OUT……….......…………………..1
Extras……………………………………………..............……………..10
Total…For…9…Wickets…50…Overs….....…………………....185
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Kenya A Bowling:
Bowler………………........Overs………..Runs……..Wickets
Rajesh Bhudia………..…..8……………30………..…….3
Nehemiah Odhiambo.…8……….…..35…………..…..1
Ashish Karia……………...4……….…..20……………....2
Javadji Laxman…………10………..…30…………….…2
Hiren Varaiya…………...10…………..14…………….....1
Brijal Patel…………….....10………..…53…………….…0
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Kenya A Innings:
Timothy Muange……….Ct..Musoke………………Arinaitwe…….37
Jadavji Jasani……………Ct..Okello……………….Kamyuka…..….10
Brijal Patel………………..Run Out……………......…………………….14
Malhar Patel……………..Run Out……………......……………………..5
Tanmay Mishra………….Bowled………….…………Baig……..…...26
Alex Obanda…………….Ct..Sematimba…..………Baig………....…3
Rajesh Bhudia…………..Bowled……..………………Otim……...…...0
Ashish Karia………….….LBW………………...………Baig……....…..12
Nehemiah Odhiambo..Ct..Sub(Sebulime)…....Baig………......10
Hiren Variaya……………NOT OUT……….......……………………….8
Laxman Jadavji………..Bowled…………….………Njunuga…...….2
Total….All…Out……47.4…Overs………........……………………….138
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler…………………….Overs………Runs……..Wickets
Kenneth Kamyuka……..7……….…..19…….…….……1
Emmanuel Itaneez…….6…………...19………….….…0
Jimmy Okello…………….1……………4…………….…..0
Frank Njunuga……….8.4……..……18……………...…1
Davis Arinaitwe……….10…….…….19……………...…1
Akbar Baig………………10……….….32………………..4
Raymond Otim…………5…………...25……………..…1
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Uganda Win By 47 runs.

Scorecard: ASM Third Place Play Off: CCA vs. Tanzania 11/06/06

Tanzania Innings:
Athmani Kakonzi…..….Bowled………………Halai….……..29
Abhik Patwa…………....Ct..Gami…………..Mohammed…11
Benson Mwita………....Ct.. Pindoria……...P.Patel…….….0
Abdulkadir Dossaji….. Bowled………………Gami………..35
Hussein Shani………..…Ct..Fazal………..…..Gami….…….12
Hamisi Abdulla………..NOT OUT…………...………………..39
Anjel Sethi……………...Ct..Fazal……………..Kayne………...1
Issa Kikazi……………...Ct..Sub(Shikotra)..Gami……….…3
Khalil Rehemtulla…...Ct..Fazal………..…...Kayne…….…..1
Kassim Nassoro……...…NOT OUT…………………………….1
Extras………………………...........………………………………….18
Total….For….8…Wickets………………....……………………154
Did Not Bat: Riziki Kiseto.
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CCA Bowling:
Bowler……………......…Overs………Runs………Wickets
Thabit Mohammed……4……………10……....……1
Irfan Khan…………….....5…………….29……………0
Pradeep Patel……..……6…………….31………..……1
Stewart Kayne………....6…………….37……….……2
Bharat Halai…………....3…………….16…………..…1
Rashmi Gami…………..6…………….28……….……3
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CCA Innings:
Stewart Kayne………..Ct..Abdulla…………….Nassoro……37
Bharat Halai…………..Run Out…………….....………………...11
Mohammed Fazal……Ct..Kiseto………………Shani………36
Pradeep Patel…………Run Out(Kikazi)……..……………….23
Irfan Khan…………..…Ct..Kikazi……….………Shani….…….6
Harish Pindoria……..Ct..Dossaji……………..Rehemtulla..0
Zahir Abbas…………..Ct..Abdulla……………..Kakonzi….…8
Sanjay Patel…………..NOT OUT……….....…………………….5
Thabit Mohammed…Bowled….………………Kakonzi..……0
Mohammed Arazi…..Ct..Abdulla…………….Kakonzi…..…0
Rashmi Gami………….Bowled………….………Mwita…..…...0
Extras…………………………………………….............……………..6
Total…All…Out…………………………………..........……………132
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Tanzania Bowling:
Bowler…………………....Overs……..Runs………Wickets
Hamisi Abdulla……………4……….…17…………..0
Khalil Rehemtulla…………6…………32…………..2
Benson Mwita……………...7…………19…..……….1
Athmani Kakonzi…………4.3……….21…………..3
Kassim Nassoro……………4…………16……..…….1
Riziki Kiseto………………...2…………13…….…….0
Hussein Shani………………3…………11………...…2
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Tanzania Win By 22 runs.

Scorecard: ASM: CCA vs. Kenya A

CCA Innings:
Mohammed Fazal…………Ct..B.Patel………...R.Bhudia………1
Mohammed Harazi………..Ct..Muange……..Odhiambo…...4
Stewart Kayne…………….Ct.R.Bhudia……….Odhiambo…...13
Harish Pindoria……………LBW…………….....Odhiambo…....9
Bharal Halai………………Ct..M.Patel……….. Javadji………..10
Pradeep Patel……………...Ct..Jadavji………..Odhiambo…...0
Sanjay Patel……………….NOT OUT………......…………………10
Zaheer Abbas……………..Ct..Jadavji………..…Variayi……….3
Rashmi Gami………………Ct..B.Patel………....Jadavji………..0
Irfan Khan…………………LBW……………….......Variayi……….0
Thabith Mohammed……Ct..M.Patel……..….Jadavji………..1
Extras………………………………………………………….............…..3
Total…All…Out……………………………………..........……………53
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Kenya A Bowling:
Bowler……………………....Overs……Runs………Wickets
Nehemiah Odhiambo…..8…………..18……………4
Rajesh Bhudia……………..4……………10…………...1
Ashish Karia………………..7…………..16……………0
Laxman Javadji…………..7…………….3…………….3
Hiren Variayi……………...3…………….9……………2
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Kenya A Innings:
Timothy Muange………..…Bowled…………..Gami………..2
Jadavji Jasani………….…..Ct..Fazal………...Gami……….13
Brijal Patel………………......LBW………….….Kayne……..…8
Malhar patel…………...……LBW…….……….Kayne……..…5
Tanmay Mishra…………...Ct..P.Patel………Gami…….....0
Alex Obanda……………..…Ct..S.Patel………Kayne…….…9
Ashish Karia……………..…Run Out (Khan)…………….....9
Nehemiah Odhiambo...NOT OUT……….…………..........3
R.Bhudia……………….…..NOT OUT…………….......………..4
Extras……………………………………….............………………..3
Total…For…7…Wickets………………........………………….54
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CCA Bowling:
Bowler……………..Overs………Runs……..Wickets
Rashmi Gami………..7…………14……...…….3
Stewart Kayne………6.2……...39…..……….3
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Kenya A win by 3 Wickets

Scorecard: ASM: Uganda vs. Tanzania 10/06/06

Tanzania Innings:
Athmani Kakonzi………………NOT OUT……....………………..50
Abhik Patwa…………………… ct: Nsubuga…….Kamyuka…….4
Benson Mwita…………………. ct: Mukasa……...Kamyuka…..14
Abdulkader Dossajee…………… ct: Saleh……..Arinaitwe……9
Hamisi Abdulla…………………. LBW…………....A.Baig…..……6
Hussein Shani……………………Bowled………….Arinaitwe……8
Khalil Rehemtulla……………….NOT OUT………..……………..13
Extras…………………………………………………………............……15
Total..For…5…Wickets…..50…Overs………………….………..119
Did Not Bat: Anjel Sethi, Aftab Manji, Issa Kikazi, Kassim Nassoro.
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler………………….Overs………Runs………Wickets
K Kamyuka………………8……………18…………..2
J Sebanja…………………5…………….18………….0
J Okello…………………..7…………….20………….0
Frank Njunuga……….10…………....12…………0
D Arinaitwe…………...10…………...20…………2
A Baig…………………...10…………….22………….1
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Uganda Innings:
Joel Olwenyi……………..NOT OUT………….………………….60
Rogers Mukasa…………..Bowled……….Rehemtalla……...11
Hamza Saleh……………..LBW…………….Kakonzi…………27?
Kenneth Kamyuka……….Ct..Shani……Kakonzi…………27?
Henry Sebulime………….Ct..Nassaro…. Kiseto…………..6
Benjamin Musoke………..NOT OUT…….…………………...3
Extras…………………………………………………….....…………..?
Total….For….4…Wickets…..29.4…Overs…..……………120
Did Not Bat: Frank Njunuga, Jimmy Okello, Raymond Otim, Emmanuel Itaneez, Davis Arinaitwe.
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Tanzania Bowling:
Bowler………………...Overs……..Runs……..Wickets
H Abdulla………….…....3…………...23…………0
Khalil Rehemtulla…....5……………14…….……1
Athmani Kakonzi…...10…………..32………….2
Hussein Shani………….1……………8…………..0
Kassim Nassoro……….7……………31…….……0
Benson Mwita……….…2……………2……….….0
Riziki Kiseto…………..1.4…………..8……….…..1
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Uganda win by 6 wickets

Scorecard: ASM: CCA vs. Uganda 08/06/06

Uganda Innings:
Joel Olwenyi………….St..Fazal………….....P.Patel……….……68
Lawrence Sematimba…Ct..&..B………....Pindoria…………..25
Hamza Saleh………….Bowled……………….Gami……..………..37
Kenneth Kamyuka……Bowled……………..Kayne…...…………..2
Benjamin Musoke…….Ct..Arazi……………Kayne…….……….15
Akbar Baig……………Run Out (P.Patel)…....................…….17
Frank Njunuga………..Ct..Abbas………....Gami…………..…..10
Jimmy Okello…………Run Out (Arazi)…..............................1
Raymond Otim………..NOT OUT…….....................…………..3
Emmanuel Itaneez…….Ct..Kayne….....…Gami……...………..2
Davis Arinaitwe……….NOT OUT…………..........……………….1
Extras……………………………………………….........................…20
Total…For…9…Wickets…………………...........................….201
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CCA Bowling:
Bowler……………….….Overs…………..Runs……………Wickets
Irfan Khan………………..6………………33……………….…0
Harish Pindoria………..6………………36………………….1
Tabit Mohammed…....4……………….14…………………0
Bharat Halai…………….5……………….31…………….……0
Stewart Kayne………..10……………….40…………………2
Pradeep Patel…………10…………….…22…………….……1
Rashmi Gami…………..9…………….…22……………….…3
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CCA Innings
Mohammed Arazi………..Ct..Sematimba…Kamyuka……….0
Mohammed Fazal………..Ct..Arinaitwe……Njunuga……....41
Stewart Kayne……………Ct..Olwenyi………..Itaneez…………15
Sanjay Patel………………Ct..Olwenyi…………Kamyuka……….2
Bharat Halai………………Ct..&..B………………Okello………….23
Zaheer Abbas……………..Ct..&..B………………Okello…………..2
Harish Pindoria……………Ct..Olwenyi………Njunuga…..….19
Pradeep Patel……………...Bowled………………Arinaitwe…….6
Irfan Khan…………………St..Sematimba……Baig……...………7
Thabith Mohammed……….Ct..Musoke……Baig……....………6
Rashmi Gami………………NOT OUT…………..……………………1
Extras…………………………………………………….....………………..8
Total…All…Out………………………………………..………………..130
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler…………………..Overs……...Runs…………..Wickets
Kenneth Kamyula……..7…………….20…………….…..2
Emmanuel Itaneez……7…………….21…………..….…..1
Jimmy Okello…………10…………….18……………..…..2
Joel Olwenyi…………….4…………….15………………....0
Frank Njunuga………10…………….30………………....2
Davis Arinaitwe………7……………..17……………….....1
Akbar Baig……………2.2……………..5……………….....1
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Uganda win by 71 runs.

Scorecard: ASM: Kenya A vs. Tanzania 08/06/06

Tanzania Innings:
Aftab Manji…………….Ct...Mishra……Varaiya…..…02
Abhik Patwa……………Ct..Muange……Odhiambo...35
Abdulkader Dossajee…...Bowled….....R.Bhudia.…...0
Benson Mwita………….Ct..B.Patel…….L.Jadavji…...15
Athmani Kakonzi………Bowled………..Odhiambo….08
Khalil Rehemtulla………Run Out……….....…………….10
Anjel Sethi………………Bowled………....Varaiya…..…..0
Hussein Shani…………..Ct..Varaiya….B.Patel…....…12
Hamisi Abdulla…………Ct..Muange…Odhiambo..…19
Issa Kikazi………………Ct...Mishra….…Varaiya…..…..1
Kassim Nassoro…………NOT OUT…….....……………...7
Extras………………………………………….............………….5
Total…All…Out….36.5…Overs…………....…………….114
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Kenya A Bowling:
Bowler………………….....Overs………Runs……..Wickets
Nehemiah Odhiambo…7.5………….45…….…….2
Rajesh Bhudia………….....6……………16………….2
Jadavji Laxman…………..9……………16…….…….1
Hiren Varaiya………….…10…………..26………….3
Brijal Patel………………....4……….……4……….…..1
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Kenya A Innings:
Timothy Muange……….LBW…………....Kakonzi…….32
Jadavji Jasani…………...Ct..Nassoro…..Abdulla…….19
Brijal Patel………………NOT OUT………..………………45
Tanmay Mishra…………NOT OUT……...………………..6
Extras……………………………………………….....…………..13
Total..For..2..Wickets…………………………………………115
Did Not Bat: Malhar Patel, Alex Obanda, Ashish Karia, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Rajesh Bhudia, Hiren Patel, Lazman Jadavji.
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Tanzania Bowling:
Bowler………………..Overs……….Runs………..Wickets
Hamisi Abdulla…………4……………11……………...1
Khalil Rehemtulla………2……………17……….…...0
Benson Mwita…………..5…………….34…………….0
Athmani Kakonzi……….7…………….26……….…..1
Hussein Shani…………..4……………..9……………..0
Kassim Nassoro………..2.2…………...15…………...0
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Kenya A win by 8 wickets.

Scorecard: ASM: CCA vs. Tanzania 07/06/06

CCA Scorecard:
Stewart Kayne………………Ct..Sethi……………..Abdulla………11
Mohammed Sawjani………...Bowled……………Abdulla…….…3
Mohammed Fazal…………...Ct..Kikazi………….Mwita……….16
Mohammed Arazi…………...Runout..(Kikazi)……………………3
Sanjay Patel…………………Ct..Manji……………..Shani………...8
Zahir Abbas…………………Ct.. Rehemtulla…….Kakonzi…….26
Bharat Halai………………....Ct..Kikazi…………...Abdulla…….32
Harish Pindoria……………...LBW………………...Rehemtulla..3
Pradeep Patel………………..Ct..Sethi…………….Kakonzi…....30
Irfan Khan…………………..LBW……………….......Shani………...3
Rashmi Gami……………….Not Out……………….....……………..2
Extras……………………………………………………….......…………..22
Total All Out…44.2..Overs…………………….……..…………….159
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Bowling:
Bowler…………...…..Overs……………Runs…………Wickets
Hamisi Abdulla………9………………..31…………….…3
Khalil Rehemtulla……9………………..36………………1
Hussein Shani………..7………………..27……………….2
Benson Mwita……….10……………….25……………….1
Athmani Kakonzi….9.2………………39……………….2
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Tanzania Scorecard:
Issa Kikazi………………….Ct..Fazal………………....Khan……….0
Abhik Patwa………………..Ct.Mohammed ?……P.Patel.……24
Abdul Hussein……………...Ct.Mohammed ?……Kayne.…….21
Aftab Manji…………………Ct.&.Bowled………….P.Patel….…..0
Benson Mwita……………...Ct.Mohammed ?……Kayne.…….15
Athmani Kakonzi…………..Bowled………………...Kayne.……..0
Hamisi Abdulla…………….Ct.. Halai………………Kayne…….…5
Hussein Shani………………Ct.P.Patel……………...Kayne……..22
Khalil Rehemtulla………….Bowled…………………Gami…..……3
Mohammed Khimji…………Ct..Kayne……………P.Patel……..2
Anjel Sethi………………….NOT OUT………......…………......……0
Extras……………………………………………………………….......…...14
Total..All..Out….29.1..Overs…………………………….........….106
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Bowling:
Bowler……………..Overs……………Runs…………Wickets
Ifran Khan……………4………………..14………….……1
Harish Pindoria……5………………..14……………….0
Zahir Abbas………….1…………………9……………….0
Stewart Kayne………10……………...38………………5
Pradeep Patel………6.1………………24………………3
Rashmi Gami……….3…………………7…………….….1
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CCA Win By 52 Runs.

Scorecard: ASM Kenya A vs Uganda 07/06/06

Kenya A innings:
Timothy Muange………..Ct..Kamyuka…………….Okello…………12
Jadavji Jasani……………Ct..Arinaitwe…....……Njunuga……….25
Brijal Patel………………Ct..Okello……………..….Njunuga……….60
Malhar Patel…………….Ct..Otim………….………Njunuga……….10
Nehemiah Odhiambo……Run Out………...……………………………1
Alex Obanda…………….St..Sematimba…………..Baig……..……….1
Peter Kituku……………..St..Sematimba…….....Arinaitwe……….5
David Maina……………..Ct..Saleh………………...Arinaitwe….……0
Rajesh Bhudia……………Ct..Njunuga……….....Arinaitwe….…..10
Hiren Patel……………….Run Out………………............……………..11
Laxman Jadavji…………..Not Out……………....………………………2
Extras………………………………………………….............…...…………..5
Total…All…Out…………………………………….........………………..142
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Uganda Bowling:
Bowler…………….....…Overs……………Runs……………Wickets
Kenneth Kamyuka………7……………….18……..……..……0
Emmanuel Itaneez………7………………..11…………..….…0
Jimmy Okello…………..…1………………..2…………….…….1
Joel Olwenyi…………..….6………………..27……………...…0
Frank Njunuga………….9.3…………..…20……….......……3
Davis Arinaitwe………..10………………27……..……..…….3
Akbar Baig………….……10…………...…32….....…….....….1
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Uganda Innings:
Joel Olwenyi……………St..Kituku……………….Odhiambo……..18
Lawrence Sematimba…..LBW………………….R.Bhudia…..…….7
Hamza Saleh……………Ct..&..B………………….R.Bhudia….……14
Kenneth Kamyuka……...Run Out……………..……….………………3
Benjamin Musoke………NOT OUT……………..…………………...54
Akbar Baig………………Ct..Jasani………………Jadavji……..…...26
Frank Njunuga…………..Ct..Muange…………Jadavji……....……5
Jimmy okello…………….LBW……………………Odhiambo…….…0
Raymond Otim………….NOT OUT……………………...……………10
Emmanuel Itaneez………Did not bat
Davis Arinaitwe…………Did not bat
Extras…………………………………………………………............………..6
Total…For….6….Wickets……………………………….....…………..143
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Kenya A Bowling:
Bowler.............................Overs……….Runs………...Wickets
Nehemiah Odhiambo……..10………..…31…………………2
Rajesh Bhudia…………….....9.4………...28…………………2
Laxman Jadavji………….....10…………..27…………………2
Hiren Patel……………….......10………..…25…………………0
Brijal Patel……………….....…4…………...13…………………0
Peter Kituku……………....….4…………...14…………………0
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Uganda win by 4 wickets.

Uganda Prove Point in Atul Shah Tournament

Due to an unforseen glitch, that I hope has now been ironed out, I was unable to keep as close an eye on this tournament as I would have liked. Rather than going through an exhaustive commentary of what happened in each match, I will do a very brief summary, and then post the scorecards separately.
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Day 1, 07/06/06:
Kenya A 10/142 (B.Patel 60, Jadavji Jasani 25, Frank Njunuga 3/20, Davis Arinaitwe 3/27) lost to Uganda 6/143 (Benjamin Musoke 54*, Akbar Baig 26, Laxman Jadavji 2/27, Rajesh Bhudia 2/28) by 4 wickets.
A poor start by Kenya A - lucky that the selectors ignores calls for Patel to be left out, It would have been dismal indeed without his effort.
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CCA 10/159 (Bharat Halai 32, Zahir Abbas 26, Hamisi Abdulla 3/31, Hussein Shani 2/27) beat Tanzania 10/106 (Abhik Patwa 24, Stewart Kayne 5/38, Pradeep Patel 3/24) by 52 runs.
A solid start by CCA. Great bowling from Kayne to help CCA defend a modest target.
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Day 2, 08/06/06:
Tanzania 10/114 (Abhik Patwa 35, Hiren Variayi 3/26, Rajesh Bhudia 2/16) Lost to Kenya A 2/115 (B.Patel 45*, Timothy Muange 32) by 8 Wickets.
A good bounce back by Kenya A, albeit against a much weaker team than Uganda. Good to see Muange getting amongst the runs. A good tight performance by Kenya's bowlers as well.
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Uganda 9/201 (Joel Olwenyi 68, Hamzah Saleh 37, Lawrence Sematimba 25, Rashmi Gami 3/22, Stewart Kayne 2/40) Beat CCA 10/130 (Mohammed Fazal 41, Bharat Halai 23, Jimmy Okello 2/18, Kenneth Kamyuka 2/20, Frank Njunuga 2/30) by 71 runs.
Uganda show their superiority. They were well drilled and this was the only time in the event a team made it past 200. Kayne and Gami did well with the ball, but CCA fell way too short with the bat.
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Day 3, 10/06/06:
Tanzania 5/119 (Athmani Kakonzi 50*, Kenneth Kamyuka 2/18, Davis Arinaitwe 2/20) Lost to Uganda 4/120 (Joel Olwenyi 60*, Hamza Saleh OR Kenneth Kamyuka 27, Athmani Kakonzi 2/32) by 6 wickets.
Joel Olwenyi shows himself the class batsman of the tournament with his second half century. Kakonzi also reached the milestone, but Tanzania batted too slowly to really trouble the Ugandans.
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CCA 10/53 (Nehemiah Odhiambo 4/18, Laxman Jadavji 3/3, Hiren Variayi 2/9) Lost to Kenya A 7/54 (Rashmi Gami 3/14, Stewart Kayne 3/39) by 3 wickets.
Oh dear. The less said about the batting, the better. The bowlers will be pleased with their figures, but it is worrying that no one was even able to get to 15 with the bat.
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Third Place Playoff 11/06/06
Tanzania 8/154 (Hamisi Abdulla 39*, Abulkadir Dossaji 35, Athmani Kakonzi 29, Rashmi Gami 3/28, Stewart Kayne 2/37) Beat CCA 10/132 (Stewart Kayne 37, Mohammed Fazal 36, Pradeep Patel 23, Athmani Kakonzi 3/21, Hussein Shani 2/11, Khalil Rehemtulla 2/32) by 22 runs.
Once again, Tanzania batted too slowly, but it was of little consequence in the end as CCA suffered a middle order batting collapse to finish last. A shame considering their two bowlers Kayne and Gami were among the best in the tournament. A moral boosting victory for Tanzania.
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Final 11/06/06:
Uganda 9/185 (Hamzah Saleh 39, Frank Njunuga 39, Akbar Baig 34, Benjamin Musoke 24, Rajesh Bhudia 3/30, Ashet Karri 2/20, Laxman Jadavji 2/30) Beat Kenya A 10/138 (Timothy Muange 37, Tannoy Mishear 26, Akbar Baig 4/32) by 47 runs.
Uganda remains undefeated and return home having proved a point. A disappointing effort from Kenya A. They had Uganda on the ropes early, but then let the middle order and tail get runs. Muange again had the beginnings of a decent innings, but it was annoying not to see Mishear get more runs. He showed against Bangladesh he was a class act, but did not drive it home this tournament.
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On the whole, a dissatisfying effort from the two Kenya teams this tournament. Kenya A will have to go back to the drawing board and work hard on the basics before the Denmark tour. The selectors may also want to rethink the composition of the squad being sent. A big worry is that despite 8 matches being played, only one innings reached 200 (and that only just). This suggests there is a lot of work to be done on the pitches to bring them up to scratch. However much talent we have in Kenya, it needs to be given the best conditions possible to thrive. Sub 200 pitches are never going to produce batsmen capable of building big innings - they will simply never learn the patience.
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On an organisational side, credit does need to go to Cricket Kenya and the officials that were involved in this. It was arranged at fairly short notice, and they did well to keep the World informed through the tournament website. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

Swamibapa 45-Over Champs

Steve Tikolo and Maurice Ouma led the way for Swamibapa, who opted to bat first in the NPCA 45-Over final at Aga Khan Sports Centre last weekend. Tikolo made 28 of Swami's 191 all out, but it was Ouma who top scored with 32. Joseph Angara added 23. Kanbis bowling honours were shared by Harish Varshani (3/27), Vijay Kalyan (2/42), Vipul Khetani (2/38).
In reply, Kanbis were kept pinned down thanks to tight bowling from Angara (3/33), Peter Ongondo (2/23) and Tony Suji (2/19). Both Pritesh Rabadia and Ramesh Mepani batted well to make 34 each, but the rest of the side were not able to back them up, and Kanbis ended up falling 32 runs short on 9/159. Officials for the match were Subhash Modi and Mohammed Khan.
Once again, Swamibapa prove they are the Kings of the domestic game. The new season is set to be underway any time now, so it will be interesting to see who their rivals will be this year. Kanbis will no doubt be in the running again, and Thomas Odoyo's Jafferys will also have their eyes set on the title. With the rather lacklustre performance of the A team in the Atul Shah tournament in Mombasa, there is plenty of space at the top for new players to come through. Hopefully we will see a couple of fresh faces making a name for themselves this season.