Uganda defeated Kenya by 54 runs in the first One-Day at Kyambogo Oval in Kampala as the tourists’ poor top order batting undermined a creditable bowling effort.
The match saw four of youngsters that had been included to play were impressive with both bat and the ball.
Kenya who had seen Uganda race to 81 for no loss, were set an achievable target of 158.
But the hard work by spinners Emily Ruto and Pearlyne Omamo who picked two wickets each, was undone by a weak batting display by the top orders in which Mercy Adhiambo and debutant Lydia Kaparo’s 17 each was the sole bright spot.
Uganda opener Barbara Mukankusi produced a man-of-the-match display in scoring 47 off 52 balls to anchor the home side’s innings, while Flavia Laker and Carol Namugenyi took three wickets as Kenya inning ended on 104 in 37.4 overs.
Mukankusi and Namugenyi (17) capitalized on Kenya seamers poor show and raced on 81 in 14 overs but the introduction of Ruto and Omamo down their scoring tempo as only 77 for nine wickets.
Namugenyi was the first to loss her wicket when she was bowled by Ruth Mwihaki, Mukankusi followed an over later thanks to Ruto who plucked her bails.
Young Faith Mwende bowled six over on her debut in national colors and picked up two wickets for 17 runs.
Gloria Adubu was the other batsman who made a big mark in Uganda innings with unbeaten 22 off 46 balls.
Kenya was in danger as early as the third over when Frankline Najjumba had Omamo caught at square leg for a duck with the board on 8.
Margaret Banja was the next to go on 11 after adding on 8 with Ruto (8). Banja and Ruto fell to Laker. Wicketkeeper Sharon Juma was the third wicket to fall when she was caught behind off Najjumba for a duck.
Sarah Bhakita could only make 6 off 20 balls before youngsters Quinta Aoko (9) and Hannah Ngina (10) who was making her debut made 24 for the sixth wicket.
Adhiambo and Kaparo put on 28 and got the scores to 101 before Adhiambo was bowled by Namugenyi.
The dismissal of Kaparo after having faced 27 balls brought to an end the Kenyan inning in a match that young player Ngina, Aoko, Mwende and Kaparo impressed the coaches.
The two teams meet tomorrow (Tuesday) for the second one day at the same venue.
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