zimcricketnews.com

Uganda scored a shock one-day victory over Zimbabwe earlier today in a rain-affected match in Nairobi. Ugandan bowling trio of Charles Waiswa (2/40), Daniel Ruyange (2/23) and captain Davis Arinaitwe (2/25) restricted Zimbabwe to 175 all out with only stand-in skipper Hamilton Masakadza (55), Cephas Zhuwawo (44), Chamu Chibhabha (25) and Graeme Cremer (21) managing double figures.

In reply, Ugandan left-hand opener Arthur Kyobe gave the chase a strong start with a solid half-century of 51 runs and was in partnership with Roger Mukasa Galiwango (18) as Uganda seemed on course for an easy win at 86/1. Uganda then lost four quick wickets to leave them at 90/4, but in-form Joel Olweny struck 30 runs and by the time the heavens opened the minnows were 17 runs above the required par score (125) at 142/6.

For Zimbabwe, it's nothing short of a humiliation, and a warning bell ahead of the tri-series that gets underway tomorrow with Zimbabwe v Ireland - Ireland have a decent record against Zim, having tied them famously during the 2007 World Cup, and beaten them comprehensively in an unranked match in Belfast a few years previously. With their form in Canada having been less than convincing, the side need to step up a gear quickly if they're to prove those who resent their Full Member status wrong.

No scorecard yet available for this match - I'll add it if/when it becomes available.
Zimbabwe 175 (Masakadza 55, Waiswa 2/40), Uganda 142/6 (31.4 overs [D/L target 125]; Kyobe 51). Uganda win by 17 runs (D/L method)

Division Two of the World Cricket League recently finished in Windhoek, Namibia - the league is the ICC's new route to World Cup qualifying that allows any Associate or Affiliate nation to have a shot at playing in the game's top tournament, with the League providing 6 sides to the World Cup pools. The ICC World Cup Qualifiers take place in UAE in April 2009; sides in WCL Division One (Kenya, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Canada and Bermuda) have already booked their slots, while the top 4 teams from the 6 who took part in Division Two are also now on the list - that's Namibia, Oman, UAE and Denmark.

Uganda missed out, finishing in 5th place - that sees them relegated to Division Three, but their chance isn't lost yet as the top two sides from Division Three (to be played in January 2009, with 6 teams taking part) will complete the lineup for the Qualifiers.

Other African sides still in with a remote shot are Botswana, Mozambique (both in Division Five) and Tanzania (in Division Four).

Bermuda's woes since gaining ODI status after the 2005 ICC Trophy have been well-documented, and their performances don't seem to be getting any better. On Monday, they were rolled over by Uganda in the second one-day match between the two sides (Uganda having only narrowly missed out in the first match). Uganda have also claimed the scalp of Kenya in a Twenty20 international earlier in the year, and won the World Cricket League Division Three title back in June. On current form, would you bet against Africa having a fourth ODI-ranked side come the end of the 2009 World Cup Qualifiers? I wouldn't...

(As an aside, both Namibia and Tanzania could also potentially gain ODI status by 2009 through the WCL system, depending on results, while Botswana and Mozambique are also in the competition - but their route through from Division Five would be far from easy. Uganda are looking the most likely African team at the moment to qualify. If you're interested in working through the permutations, the WCL is outlined here.)

While the mens' team were on the receiving end of a whitewash in Bangladesh, the women have been in Kenya and enjoying success at the World Cup qualifying tournament, completing a clean sweep of their three matches to ensure their place inthe next qualifying round.

Zimbabwe v Uganda (8 December 2006)
Zimbabwe 166/9 (50 overs)
Uganda 103
Zimbabwe win by 63 runs

Zimbabwe v Kenya (9 December 2006)
Zimbabwe 189 (47 overs)
Kenya 85 (44.4 overs)
Zimbabwe win by 104 runs

Zimbabwe v Tanzania (10 December 2006)
Zimbabwe 145/9 (50 overs)
Tanzania 63 (40/1 overs)
Zimbabwe win by 82 runs

Zimbabwe's U19 team got off to a winning start in the U19 World Cup campaign, winning Wednesday's warm-up match against Uganda by a healthy 104 runs. Ryan Higgins (56) and Keagan Meth (51) top-scored for Zim on the way to a total of 238, which proved too much for Uganda to catch. Warm-up games continue on Thursday & Friday.

U19 team captain Sean Williams has high hopes that the team can progress past the group stages of the competition, and is determined to beat England to make sure that happens:

"England are my main target - I really want to beat England. I think if we beat England then we are close to the Super League and I would say if we can beat them then we can beat almost anybody. I know and believe we can beat them."

Zimbabwe's record at U19 level has been better than you would expect given performances at Test level, and another good showing this year will perhaps prove there is light at the end of the tunnel.