The deadline for submission of squads for the T20 World Cup was 1st May and the African Games was the last tournament for players to impress selectors.
The squad of 15 had its core but there were one or two spots that were still up for grabs. The top order was sorted with Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa and Ronak Patel making those spots their own but the backup batter for them was the missing piece.
Robinson Obuya was in the conversation with Ronald Lutaaya. Since his century in the final of the Elite League, Lutaaya had won hearts both emotionally and technically because of his aggression. He was like a younger version of Simon Ssesazi both left-handed but Sessazi more mature in terms of building an innings. Lutaaya has the story; a son of a former groundsman, the mother part of the ground staff in Lugogo and also the experience of playing at the World Cup in the Caribbean. However, batsmen are only judged on runs, that is their currency, and both are struggling for runs.
I could not put it down to anything honestly. I was doing the same things making sure I trust my process but the runs were the missing part. I was worried about missing out on the World Cup squad.
Robinson Obuya, Cricket Cranes batter
In the bronze medal match at the African Games, Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi set up a solid platform with 61 run opening stand, no much pressure to score but it’s time to press on and enforce things.
Obuya is up against the Kenyan Captain off spinner Rakep Patel and leg spinner Vishil Patel. He backed his power and scored a quick-fire 28 off 15 balls that completely deflated the Kenyans. That inning might have convinced the naysayers about the backup position. Obuya is a power player with a very solid set-up that allows him to have a firm base, only needs full balls to be destructive.
Obuya has had to earn everything. He never played representative cricket for Uganda even if he came close and that is for most youngsters the pathway to the national team. He worked hard on his game in Jinja with Habib Mugalula and the move from St James to Jinja SS paid off with people starting to take notice of his abilities.
This journey has not been a smooth one for me. A lot of ups and downs but the consistent thing in all this has been the hard work and trusting the process. The ability to adjust and assess conditions quickly and playing situations.
Robinson Obuya.
When the final 15 was named for the World Cup and Obuya had made the cut that is when reality hit him on how far he had come for him to be part of history.
It was emotional for me, I couldn’t believe it but I knew I had earned my place. I have played the way I know how and that has got me here. I have been humble enough to stay hungry and wait for my turn. There are people ahead of me especially in playing XI but I back my abilities any time I am given my shot. So, I will play my game at the World Cup and make sure I express myself.
Robinson Obuya
Robinson Obuya has played 17 times in T20i for Uganda making his debut last year at the Continent Cup in Rwanda. He has scored 266 runs and averaging 20, his stand out is the strike rate of 127 which shows the power of the man. As the pieces fall in place for Obuya, he is not taking his eye off the ball.
I want to achieve a lot of things. I want to leave a mark on the international stage so that I create opportunities for myself in becoming a pro cricketer with the so many franchise leagues coming up in the World.
Robinson Obuya
The boy from Jinja who dared to dream will be running out at the grand stage for his country and for a man who plays with his heart on the sleeve he will certainly make the most of his opportunity.
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