Papua New Guinea off to big start in cricket event in Fiji

2001 EAST ASIA - PACIFIC UNDER 19 CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPS, 19-25 AUGUST, NADI, FIJI

RESULTS Day 1, Sunday 19 August

PRELIMINARY ROUND 1

FIJI v PAPUA NEW GUINEA at Nadi Muslim College

After winning the toss and batting, Papua New Guinea built a huge first innings score of 334 in the opening match of the inaugural ICC East Asia - Pacific Cricket Championships being hosted by the Fiji Cricket Association in Nadi. Opener Frank Joseph compiled an impressive innings of 77 that set up the big total. Sharing an important 116 run 5th wicket partnership were Kalei Wamala (78) and captain, Kohu Dai (63 not out). Fiji skipper, Colin Rika, who represented his country at senior level at the ICC Trophy in Canada in July took 4/59. In response, Fiji were all out for 101 from 31.3 overs with Colin Rika top scoring in the opening position with 34. Kohu Dai completed a man of the match performance by taking 5/41.

The winner of this tournament will qualify for the next ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand in Jan/Feb 2002. There they will compete against all full member Test cricket nations, One Day International member, Kenya, and the four qualifiers from the other Regions of the International Cricket Council's world-wide Development Program - Africa, the Americas, Asia & Europe.

SCORES

Papua New Guinea 10/334 off 49.2 overs (Kalei Wamala 78, Frank Joseph 77, Kohu Dai 63no, Colin Rika 4/59, Watisoni Motu 3/51) defeated Fiji 10/101 off 31.3 overs (Colin Rika 34, Kohu Dai 5/41)

POINTS TABLE   Played Points     Net Run Rate
Papua New Guinea    1    2  4.66
Fiji                1    0            -4.66
Hong Kong           0           0   0

Tomorrow: Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea at Nadi Muslim College