Ireland face Uganda hurdle in race to semi-finals
Overview
Ireland Women v Uganda Women
VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen
Match 10, WT20Q 2018
Tuesday, 10 July, 10:00 GMT, 12:00 local
Ireland have won both their games, against Scotland and Thailand. Uganda, on the other hand, have lost to Scotland but beaten Thailand in the second game.
Ireland, much like Bangladesh, have been dominant in their campaign so far, winning both of their games with conviction.
They beat Thailand by seven wickets after having restricted them to 92/7 thanks to Lucy O’Reilly’s 3/23 and Clare Shillington’s 32-ball 38. They followed their first win with a nine-wicket thumping of Scotland, who could only manage 98/2 from their 20 overs. Ireland chased down the target in 15.4 overs with Shillington top-scoring yet again with a 39-ball 47.
Uganda suffered an early setback when they were bowled out for 43 against Scotland in their opening game of the tournament. Scotland crossed the target in just 6.5 overs with nine wickets in hand.
The African nation bounced back in the second game against Thailand, winning by four wickets. Uganda restricted their opponents to 67/9 with all of their bowlers chipping in with wickets and then managed to chase the target with 11 balls to spare. Immaculate Nakisuuyi scored a run-a-ball 21 for Uganda.
Ireland are the favourites, with one foot already in the semi-finals. Shillington has been the star, but they have been helped along by their bowlers as well, as Shillington pointed out after the second game.
“I think we pretty much won the game in the field today. I thought our bowlers were excellent, much, much better (than against Thailand),” she said after the match against Scotland. “It was great to see Kim Garth back with the ball in hand. I think everyone is delighted to see her back as she's a real asset to our team.”
Uganda have a lot at stake too – a win gives them a chance of making the last four, while a loss would see them crash out irrespective of the result in Scotland's game against Thailand, due to Uganda having a worse net run rate than Thailand.
Key players
Clare Shillington (Ireland): She has top-scored for her team in both the games so far. Batting at the top of the order, Shillington will look to give her team a good start again and lay a solid foundation for the middle order to capitalise on.
Immaculate Nakisuuyi (Uganda): Having picked up two wickets and scored 22 runs in two low-scoring games so far in the tournament, Nakisuuyi has emerged as an all-round option for the team, someone they will rely on when faced with their toughest opponents yet.
Squads
**Ireland:**Laura Delany (c), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Ciara Metcalfe, Cara Murray, Lucy O'Reilly, Eimear Richardson, Clare Shillington, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron
Uganda: Kevin Awino (c), Joyce Mary Apio, Consylate Aweko, Getrude Candiru, Siadat Kemigisha, Janet Mbabazi, Rita Musamali, Frankline Najjumba, Immaculate Nakisuuyi, Mary Nalule, Prico Nakitende, Stephanie Nampiina, Carol Namugenyi, Rachael Ntono