The curtain raiser of the 2nd edition of the Victoria T20 Series will see Kenya play the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the 18th of April 2023 at 12:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) at Lugogo Cricket Oval, Kampala.
Kenya last played a game late in December 2022 when they won the Kenya Quadrangular Women’s T20 Series, and the UAE last played a game in October 2022 when they featured in the 8th edition of the Women’s Asia Cup.
Squads:
Kenya – Sharon Juma (C, WK), Esther Wachira, Venasa Ooko, Daisy Njoroge, Lavendah Idambo, Flavia Atieno, Ann Wanjira, Faith Mwende, Monicah Ndhambi, Lynz Nabwire, Charity Muthoni, Kelvia Ogola, Mercy Ahono, Marion Juma
United Arab Emirates – Chaya Mughal (C), Archara Supriya, Avanee Patil, Esha Oza, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kavisha Kumari, Khushi Sharma, Lavanya Keny, Rinitha Ranjith, Rishitha Rajith, Vaishnave Mahesh, Theertha Satish (WK), Sanchin Singh
Players to watch out:
Veronica Abuga
The 26-year-old in 26 Twenty20 International (T20I) innings has scored 403 runs and has got the highest score of 56. Veronica has been consistent with her 20s having scored 26*, 56, and 10 in her last 3 innings but now has got to look to convert them.
Lavendah Idambo
The 17-year-old in 10 T20I innings has got to 50 runs, and in 30 innings with the ball has bagged 21 wickets with the best figures of 3/13. Runs of late have dried off Lavendah’s blade and with the ball has produced figures of 1/21, 1/19, and 1/21 in her previous 3 outings.
Theertha Satish
The 19-year-old keeper-batter from the United Arab Emirates in 31 T20I innings has scored 823 runs with the highest of 68. Theertha will be joining her team post a successful run in the 02 edition of FairBreak where she finished as the 5th highest run scorer with 172 runs to her name in 5 innings.
Esha Oza
The 24-year-old in 44 T20I innings has scored 1138 runs including a couple of centuries to her name, and with the ball in 31 innings has bagged 30 wickets. Esha too will be joining her team on the back of FairBreak cricket, while she didn’t have good outings with the bat, with the ball she produced figures of 1/13, 0/7, and 1/16 in her last 3 outings.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at the Lugogo Cricket Oval have more often than not helped the batters as the ball comes onto the bat nicely. Not pacers, but spinners enjoy the track as the wicket tends to slow down as the game progresses.
Weather:
With rain on the radar throughout the match duration, it could well turn out to be a disappointing start to the tournament if the skies don’t clear out. The temperature is expected to hover around 21°C and the humidity is forecasted at 82%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Theertha Satish, Daisy Njoroge, Venasa Ooko, Kavisha Kumari, Esther Wachira, Chaya Mughal, Esha Oza, Kelvia Ogola, Vaishnave Mahesh, Lavendah Idambo, Rishitha Rajith
Match details:
Date – April 18, 2023
Time – 12:00 PM IST
Venue – Lugogo Cricket Oval, Kampala
Broadcast – All games of the tournament will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website