2009 WCL Div 3 (Malawi)
Rwanda’s schedule

3 October - Rwanda v Gambia
4 October - Rwanda v Malawi
5 October - Morocco v Rwanda
6 October - Lesotho v Rwanda
7 October - Sierra Leone v Rwanda

IN just under a month’s time, Rwanda’s national cricket team will be back at it again as they compete in the new-look ICC World Cricket League Division 3 tournament.

Rwanda have been deemed second favourites to Sierra Leone in the six-nation tournament which also includes Morocco, Lesotho, Gambia and hosts Malawi but national team coach William Kamanyi knows that the team needs a lot of polishing before they can dream of lifting the trophy after three unsuccessful attempts in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

"We still need to raise our all-round game if we are going to try and win the tournament. I feel the team needs to bat more because that’s our weakest point.”

"We need to try and bat out the 50 overs because if we can do that, we shall have a good chance in Malawi,” he added.

Kamanyi has also warned the players about their fitness levels because of the tight tournament schedule. Like all the other teams, Rwanda will have no breather from October 3 when they play their first game (against Gambia) to October 7 when they wind up their campaign (against Sierra Leone).

"This year, it’s a marathon so the boys have to be in the best possible shape,” the former Ugandan International said.

At the end of the tournament, the top two will qualify for the 2010 ICC Africa WCL Division 2 tournament in Benoni, South Africa.

Last year, Rwanda broke into the top four for the first time but the team’s excitement was short-lived after falling to eventual champions Ghana in the semi-finals.

Ends