Kenya Ladies end 8 year drought in style

Yesterday Kenya Ladies played a team that they had never beaten in eight years of trying and not just beat them but completely outplayed them.

Winning the toss, Uganda chose to bat but ran straight into trouble as they lost two early wickets - Anna Kisakye run out for 2 and Barbara Mukankusi bowled by Mary Belle for 4. Kenya's Ladies kept a tight line and the discipline paid off with the Ugandans frustrated at being unable to score going for more suicidal runs, chances that the Kenyans gleefully accepted. Mary Belle (3/22) continued to reap the rewards of the pressure created by Belinda Maska (8-5-4-1) as she picked up two more wickets to have Uganda well and truly on the ropes at 21/6 after 15 overs.

A rally of sorts was then carried out by Christine Aryemo (14) and Consy Aweko (13*) who added 26 for the next wicket, but the run rate was still painfully slow and Kenya still well and truly in control of the game. Again it was a run out that triggered a Ugandan collapse, though this time the bowler to benefit was Sarah Bhakita who cleaned up the tail taking 3/5 off 5.4 overs.
Uganda finished on 71 all out after 38.4 overs.

Kenya lost opener Perlyne Omamo to Stella Atim with just 4 on the board, but from then on the reply was held together by sensible batting from Margaret Banja (47*) and Mary Aimee (15*) who saw the hosts home for an historic victory.

It may have taken 8 years, but Kenya's Ladies are proving under the stewardship of Dun Okinyo and their inclusion in the NPCA leagues that they are a growing force. If there was ever a result that begged for Cricket Kenya or the NPCA to consider a second ladies team in that competition, this surely is it. Congratulations to the Kenyan ladies on such a fine milestone, may it be the first of many more!