Kampala will host a number of "star" Melbourne players when the club tours Uganda next month, New Vision Online reports.

Players from the famous Lords Cricket oval in Australia, are due in Kampala February 13 to play matches against the national cricket team (Feb. 14), U-19 side (Feb. 16-17), select XI (Feb. 18) and also against a Kenyan U-19 side (Feb. 22-23).

“Initially, they were supposed to spend a week in Uganda and two weeks in Kenya but the situation in Kenya forced them to change the programme. They will now spend all the three weeks here,” said local cricket association secretary Ansasira Badu.

The inaugural International Defence Cricket Challenge tournament takes place next week and will feature teams from the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force, along with four teams from the New Zealand and United Kingdom Defence Forces. The Scoop website reports:

The tournament will run from 19-23 November 2007, with the grand final to be played at Manuka Oval. The grand final will also be the scene for the inaugural reunion of past Combined Services cricketers, including the Commanding Officer of the 1945 Australian Services side.

Australia Under-19s walloped Malaysia by 183 runs in the first of two one-day friendlies at Kelab Aman in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The New Straits Times has a full report:

Four Australians posted half centuries as they compiled 306 runs in 50 overs before dismissing Malaysia for 123 runs in 43 overs.

Isaiah Borgas, batting at No 4 for Australia, knocked an elegant 81 runs off 72 balls which included seven boundaries and three sixes, Anthony Murphy chipped in with 60 off 84 balls, Tim Buzzard scored 54 and James Faulkner was unbeaten on 50.

In reply, Malaysia lost the wicket of opener Faris Almas Lee (2) in the fourth over before Shafiq Sharif (16) and Faizal Abu Hassan (8) exited cheaply as Malaysia struggled against the Australian seamers and spinners.