Uganda springs shock defeat on Ireland

ICC Trophy tournament newcomer Uganda has delivered the shock result on day two of warm-up action here in Toronto. The Division Two team, ranked second-last in the official seedings for this event, confounded all expectations with an exciting 31-run win over highly fancied Ireland at the Eglinton Flats West ground.

For most of the morning, though, the Africans - who have formed a team in their own right this year after previous experience as part of the East and Central Africa combined side - had looked to be struggling. In the face of typically accurate pace bowling from Mark Patterson (4/23), Paul Mooney (3/28) and Adrian McCoubrey (1/20), they crashed to a dismal 5/37 at one point. In the end, it was effectively only spirited lower order resistance from Frank Nsubuga (37) and Richard Mwami (23) which saw them reach a total of 144. A stubborn last wicket partnership of 17 between Tendo Mbazzi (14*) and Richard Okia (3) was also crucial.

Notwithstanding the stabilising effect of a plucky innings from Desmond Curry (22) in its middle stages, Ireland's chase never progressed smoothly. Intelligent bowling from the Ugandans - especially a brilliantly economical Mbazzi (2/16) and J Kwebiha (3/19) - frustrated their normally unflappable opponents into error. The Irish also made a strong contribution to their demise with disappointing running between the wickets; the loss of three of their top seven batsmen to run outs indicative.

Following a disappointing exhibition with the bat yesterday, Fiji swung its order around to useful effect in its 20-run victory over Germany at the adjoining field at Eglinton. Taione Batina (43) and Iniasi Cakacaka (30) constructed an excellent partnership of 64 runs for the fourth wicket while all-rounder Neil Maxwell (19*) swung the bat lustily, even causing a five-minute hold-up for a lost ball at one stage from his lower-than-normal station of number nine. Germany's bowling was persistent; leg spinner Jakob Bumke (2/31) and lightly-built medium pacer Badar Munir (2/17) particularly impressive during the closing stages of the innings.

For a time, middle order batsmen Younis Khan (30) and Gerrit Mueller (26) raised hopes of a second upset in the space of the one sunny afternoon at tree-lined Eglinton. But superb bowling from Johnny Hussain (3/20) quickly caused the innings to unravel.

Namibian opener Riaan Walters (72) continued his impressive personal lead-up form with the key innings in his team's five wicket win over Malaysia at King City. After electing to bat first, the Malaysians were restricted to a modest 8/153, only Mohammed Yazid Imran (35) and Marimuthu Muniandy (29) truly coming to terms with the conditions. Backing up fine form from twenty-four hours earlier, Bjorn Kotze (3/41) and Lennie Louw (2/16) again bowled brilliantly, and excellent support came from Rudi Scholtz (3/28) with the new ball.

Inspired by Walters, the Namibians' victory then arrived with more than ten overs to spare. Albeit that two wickets from Chew Pok Cheong (2/31) and tidy spells from Yazid Imran (1/15) and S Vickneswaran (1/20) ensured that it never became a totally one-sided stroll in the King City park.

Pre-tournament favourite Scotland rounded out the day with a convincing 133-run win over Papua New Guinea at Kitchener. Greig Williamson (58) was the chief contributor to the Scots' total of 202, but only three players failed to reach double figures in an even overall performance.

Aukoma Nova (23) and Rarva Dikana (18*) fought valiantly amid the reply, but the Papua New Guineans were never really a match for their opponents. This was confirmed in emphatic style by the pace bowling of John Blain (4/17), whose return of four wickets in the space of just four overs scuttled all prospects of a close finish. Asim Butt (2/25) and David Cox (1/10) also bowled well.

The on-field action pauses tomorrow to make way for the tournament's opening ceremony. Play in the tournament itself then begins on Thursday, with the match between Scotland and Fiji shaping as the most appealing fixture among the six scheduled.