It’s been a long wait for the resumption of the CWC Challenge League, the third tier of international one-day cricket. The last tournament was a group B event played in December 2019 in Oman with Uganda setting the early pace by winning all five of their games.

And it was group B that resumed today in Uganda with the hosts coming up against Jersey, who were third with two wins after the event in Oman.

Ugandan captain Brian Masaba won the toss and put the Channel Islanders into bat. The visitors started with Harrison Carlyon and Nick Greenwood putting on 77 before the former was run out for 34 at the end of the 17th over.

Greenwood batted on and reached 80 before he was the next man out. He put on another 64 alongside Josh Lawrenson who contributed 43 himself. A quick 22 from 23 balls by Jonty Jenner and a slightly quicker 25 not out from 19 by Dominic Blampied helped Jersey score 255-6 from their 50 overs.

Uganda lost Emmanuel Hasahya early in their reply before Simon Ssesazi and Ronak Patel put on 80 for the second wicket. That partnership ended when Ssesazi was out for 50 in the 15th over. Patel batted on and reached 64, but when he was out in the the 40th over, Uganda were seven down with 172 on the board.

Dominic Blampied evidently found the pitch to his liking, taking five wickets for just 18 runs in 5.2 overs of his leg-spin. The final wicket fell when Jersey captain Chuggy Perchard caught number 11 Juma Miyagi off his own bowling, securing a 62 run win for Jersey as Uganda were bowled out for 193.

The tournament continues tomorrow when Hong Kong play Italy and Bermuda take on Kenya.