Tony Munro

Sierra Leone have stuck to their successful youth policy in naming the squad to take part in the World Cricket League Africa Division Two tournament in Benoni, South Africa from April 23 to 30.

The promotion of 24-year-old all-rounder Lansana Lamin to the captaincy and the inclusion of nine members of the country's Under-19 squad further illustrate the Sierra Leone Cricket Association's (SLCA) emphasis on junior development. SLCA feel the policy has been vindicated after receiving an ICC award for 'Most Improved Cricketing Standards in Africa'.

The eight-team Sierra Leone 50-over and Twenty/20 domestic competitions have just finished and the players have been enjoying a break before the six-team Division Three tournament starts on Friday.

Abubakarr Kamara, an allrounder who captained Sierra Leone to second place in last year's Africa Under-19 titles, has been named as vice-captain of a squad which has just four players aged over 25. Sierra Leone qualified for last September's Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand but were prevented from taking part due to visa isses. The youngest member of the squad is under-15 player Abass Gbla. Thirty-year-old opener George Kpundeh will provide valuable experience.

The other teams competing in the tournament are Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia.

Sierra Leone: Lansana Lamin (Captain), Abubakarr Kamara (Vice-Captain), Emmanuel Pessima, Abass Gbla, Ibrahim Mansaray, Ibrahim Kamara, Ibrahim Kabia, Julius Quee, Brima Ansumana, Edward Marah, Mustapha Kallon, Alie John Kamara, George Kpundeh, Solomon Fatoma.

Tony Munro

Malawi remained unbeaten to ensure their promotion to Africa Division Two following their four-wicket win against Sierra Leone in Blantyre, Malawi on Tuesday. Sierra Leone must beat Rwanda on Wednesday to ensure they join Malawi in Benoni next March.

Sierra Leone won the toss and batted. However, the top order failed to fire and the innings was precariously poised at 142 for 5 in the 29th over. Allrounder Lasana Lamin smashed 78 off 86 balls, helping his side set a target of 176 for victory.

In response, the Malawi top-order managed meaningful partnerships in the run chase and reached 79-3 after 24 overs at one stage. Shailandra Jeena smashed an unbeaten 35 to help his team to achieve the target in 42 overs with four wickets to spare

Rwanda beat Lesotho in the second match by 218 runs.


Scores:

Sierra Leone 176 (41.4 overs) (Lansana Lamin 78, Ibrahim Kamara 45; Zaffar Sukhera 3-28, Arjun Kalaria 3-46, Shailendra Jeena 2-22) Malawi 177 for 6 (41.4 overs) (Shailendra Jeena 35 not out, Danish Jakhura 31, Mushahid Quraishy 22, Naeem Chaudry 21, Ishtiyaz Khan 20; Ibrahim Kabia 2-23, Lamin 2-39)

Rwanda def. Lesotho No scorecard available at this stage