- Game 3: Eagles vs Uganda – T20
- Match Result: Eagles 169/6 beat Uganda 71 all out by 98 runs.
The Cricket Cranes failed to crush the Independence Day party for the hosts as they went down by 98 runs in a humbling defeat.
Steve Tikolo will be more worried about the performance of his team rather than the result.
The Cricket Cranes looked out of their depth against a strong Eagles side that was put out for the final T20 game of the series.
The Eagles put out a strong outfit that included most of their World Cup stars, with JJ Smit given the leadership responsibility.
Uganda won the toss and elected to bowl. The Eagles were slow out of the blocks, but the opening pair of Steenkamp Louren (79) and Jan Frylink (20) put on 68, with the former bringing up a half-century.
Steenkamp anchored the innings for the hosts, and even when wickets fell around him, he remained the aggressor with some blows that hurt Uganda.
In the run chase, Simon Ssesazi and Robinson Obuya held fort for 21 runs, but the hosts put their foot down to leave the visitors reeling at 41/5, and from thereon, it was a slide till 71 all out.
Anas Baig (19) and Simon Ssesazi (14) were the only players in double figures in a very poor display by the Ugandans, who looked out of depth against the high pace of Rueben Trumplemann, who finished with figures of 2/7 in his 4 overs.
The defeat will give Steve Tikolo some perspective in terms of how much work he needs to put in for his boys to get close to those at the top.
The batting is still very fragile and struggles against quality bowling and high pace. The slow bowling options will need more support. Henry Ssenyondo went for 46 runs in his quota of four overs and Joseph Baguma is still learning the trade in international cricket. His four overs in the absence of Frank Nsubuga have a lot of significance.
The T20 series ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts, and now the focus will turn to the 50 Over games that start Monday.