Punch-up in paradise

Bermuda haven't been flying the flag for civility on the cricket pitch recently © Getty Images

Welcome to `Beyond the Test World', Cricinfo's trip around cricket's frontiers. In this edition we have the latest on the fall-out from the punch-up during Bermuda's Cup Match, meet one of Uganda's rising stars, Roger Makassa, report on changes to the Intercontinental Cup format and announce the champions of the Panamanian league

The affair continues. Neil Speight, Bermuda Cricket Board's CEO, told `BTTW' last week he anticipated an incident that left batsman Stephen Outerbridge claiming he had been punched during Bermudan cricket's biggest event, would be addressed at a BCB meeting on Tuesday.

"We haven't dealt with it before now because there was actually no official complaint," Speight explained. During an ill-tempered match at the 102nd annual two-day Cup Match between the island's two biggest clubs, Somerset and St. George, in July, St. George's fast bowler, George O'Brien, allegedly punched Somerset's Outerbridge, after the latter reportedly spat on him.

BTTW understands action was delayed after the umpires' refusal to sign the umpires' report because it was written by another party. Speight would not comment on what may occur in Tuesday's meeting although he did claim the BCB had the authority to take action, regardless of whether a complaint was lodged with them.

Roger Mukasa is making a name for himself in Ugandan cricket. At just 16-years-old he has already bettered many of his senior contemporaries and is one of the prodigies to watch out for as cricket starts to thrive in the country.

Mukasa, a student of Kololo Senior Secondary School, left his first mark on the local scene by becoming the youngest player to hit two centuries in the national league. This feat looks even more impressive when you consider that only one other player has reached this landmark: national captain Joel Olweny.

Mukasa's performance has come through a lot of hard work but most importantly through the inspiration of his elder brothers, Frank Nsubuga and Lawrence Sematimba, who also feature in the national team.

He started out as a kit bag carrier to his brothers and was patient in his quest for competitive cricket. In 2001 he was called to play for Castle Development XI in the national league where he showed a lot of zeal to excel by top-scoring for his side in almost all matches.

Mukasa was called into the national under-17 team in 2003 and at the beginning of the season he was signed by Nile CC. He has played ten matches for Nile CC, hitting two centuries against Tornado B and Patidar CC. He has also notched two half centuries and accumulated 505 runs, more than Olweny (409) and Under-19 World Cup player Michael Kintu (317). He also bowls economic spells, when his main role is to restrict batsman from scoring.

"I enjoy playing the game and scoring runs. I am particularly fancied playing against fast bowlers like Kenneth Kamyuka, Makhaya Ntini, Moses Taremwa and the like. I do not fear them and always wish to disprove them," Mukasa said.

His most memorable match was when he hit speed merchant Kamyuka for four consecutive boundaries, forcing Uganda's opening bowler to retire midway through his spell.

Name: Roger Mukasa (16) Club: Nile CC League debut: 2001 Batting style: Right hand Bowling style: Right arm Fielding position: Covers

Are you interested in playing cricket in Uganda? Please email azuba@dwd.co.ug

Bhattay CC are the 2005 Panamanian league champions. Bashir Patel, Bhattay captain, received the Copa Panama trophy from the Indian Ambassador to Panama, while Soyeb Chauhan (best player of the tournament), Asif Patel (best allrounder) and Ayaz Bhayat (best bowler) received the main individual accolades. Cricket in Panama exists solely due to descendants of Indians who came to Central America to work on the Panama Canal.