Papua New Guinea clean sweep Townsville
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Cricket team have returned home after their unbeaten tour to Townsville this week.
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PNG defeated North Queensland Army in Game 1 after receiving specialist coaching from ICC High Performance Manager Richard Done. Batting first, NQ Army posted 9 for 137 off their 50 overs with speedster Hitolo Areni the pick of the bowlers capturing 3 for 29 off his 10 overs. In reply, PNG coasted to a comfortable victory passing the NQ Army total in the 30th over for the loss of four wickets. Mahuru Dai was the standout with 60no and opener Kauna Vagi contributed 41.
Tropical North Queensland Development XI was the opponents in Game 2. Batting first TNQ Development was routed for 97 with opening bowler Toka Gaudi doing the damage snaring 4 for 8 off 9 overs. Gimapau Kiemelo took 3 for 22 off 7 overs and off spinner Jamie Brazier chipped in with 2 for 15 off 6.2 overs. The PNG batters made short work of the opposition's score passing the required total in only 18.3 overs with the loss of only one wicket. Jamie Brazier top scored with 37no while Peter Moide was also unbeaten on 28.
Game 3 was the feature game of the tour and pitted PNG against Tropical North Queensland open team. After winning the toss and batting, PNG were dismissed for 239 in the 48th over with Mahuru Dai (80 off 67 balls) and Jamie Brazier (76 off 61 balls) again damaging with the bat. The pair came together at 3-35 and put on 137 runs at better than a run a ball to set up the big total.
In reply, TNQ lost a wicket first ball of the innings and never recovered to be bowled out for 161, still 78 runs in arrears. PNG's best bowlers were Jamie Brazier with 3 for 26 off 10 overs and skipper Rarua Dikana chimed in with 2 for 15 off 8 overs.
PNG Coach Api Leka was pleased with the efforts of his players during the Tour. "It was great to secure three strong wins and have three competitive training sessions during the Tour" he commented "We were able to gain valuable turf wicket experience, practise our match processes and experience playing in coloured clothing and using white balls."
The PNG team departs for ICC Trophy in Ireland on 26 June where the top five of the 12 competing teams will qualify for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.
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