History repeats itself in Benoni

Kenya v PNG © ICC

The semi final showdowns from this corresponding tournament in Namibia two years ago will be repeated tomorrow after Papua New Guinea defeated Kenya in today's rescheduled Round 1 clash of the ICC Africa/EAP U19 World Cup Qualifier played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa.

The game started with a finals atmosphere with the Namibian and Ugandan teams providing the crowd to scout the game to gain advance knowledge of their respective oppositions for the semis.

PNG began strongly with an 80 run opening stand between Jack Vare (38) and Emmanuel Karo (47) and then a 50 run second wicket stand between Karo and Assad Vala (49) continued the momentum. After consistent run scoring through the middle overs, PNG were 4/200 and threatening to take the game away from Kenya.

However, fine late innings bowling (Alex Obanda 3/14) and some cavalier PNG batting saw the Islanders lose 6/22 in a frantic final 12 overs. The final score of 222 all out would be a challenge for Kenya but they did hold some momentum going into the lunch break.

Kenya v PNG © ICC

Kenya's run chase began cautiously but the top order were unable to get on top of PNG's Loa Sisia (3/30 off 9 overs) and Norbert Kunia (2/16 off 10) and the steady stream of wickets saw Kenya 5/52 and in real trouble after 20 overs. Back to back runouts from the enthusiastic PNG fielders sealed the contest and at 8/80 the game was all but over. J Patel (37no) offered some late innings resistance for Kenya but it only prolonged the inevitable and Kenya was dismissed for 119 in the 39th over.

Kenya will need to recover from today's loss to face Uganda in the semi finals tomorrow with PNG to play Namibia in the other semi. Both games have high stakes with the two winners making Friday's final and qualifying for the ICC Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka next February. Tanzania play Nigeria and Fiji come up against Zambia in the second half of the play offs.

Round 1 (rescheduled) result:
PNG 222 (Vala 49, Karo 47, Vare 38, Obanda 3/14, Otiena 3/42) defeated Kenya 119 (Patel 37no, Sisia 3/30)