Papua New Guinea through to Women's World Cup Qualifiers

Papua New Guinea have won the right to represent the East Asia Pacific region at the Women's World Cup Qualifiers following a decisive 47 run win over Japan in the second of three 50 over matches in the 2006 Brian Bell EAP Women's Cricket Challenge.

Today's victory in similar warm and windy conditions to yesterdays opening match gives PNG a 2-0 lead in this best of three series contested at Amini Park in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Like the opening game, PNG won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket offering plenty of runs should the batting team get set.

PNG again started solidly and were well serviced by Gari Mea (44) and Hebou Morea (16) who combined for a 35 run opening wicket partnership before Morea was given out LBW. PNG progressed to 84 before captain Kune Amini was run-out for 21, this initiated a succession of run-out dismissals as the well drilled Japanese fielding team successfully capitalized on a series of PNG running mix-ups that reduced PNG to 6 for 116 in the 40th over, including 3 run-outs.

Some good late hitting by Boni David helped the PNG team to muster 7 for 156 from their allotted 50 overs.

Japan's Miki Takemuri was the pick of the bowlers with 3-36 from 9 productive overs and Shizuka Sato again bowled tightly to finish with 0-15 from her 10 overs.

Having failed to chase down 175 the previous day, the Japanese team re-shuffled the batting order, but again commenced the run chase in slow fashion, edging to 3 for 23 from 21 overs.

Captain Ema Kuribayashi held the innings together with a solid 31 and was well supported by Yuki Chionone with 19.

However, Japan couldn't quite gather the momentum required to chase down the 157 required for victory, although there were encouraging signs in the second half of their innings as they pushed for more singles and were more aggressive with their running between the wickets, which subsequently put more pressure on the PNG fielding side and enabled Japan to edge past the 100 run mark.

PNG was excellently serviced by opening bowler Konio Heagi who again captured player of the match honours, following a devastating opening spell and finishing with 3 for 17 from 10 tight overs, which included 5 maidens.

On winning the 2006 Brian Bell EAP Women's Cricket Challenge and progressing to the World Cup Qualifiers PNG Coach, Seura Loa said "We are delighted to have won this tournament and the right to participate in the World Cup Qualifier stage with the aim of making it all the way to the 2009 World Cup in Australia. The Japanese team has been very competitive and this will hold us in good stead as we continue to develop the team and work on improving our skills".

With good coverage through the local television, print and radio services the support for both teams has been encouraging, including a number of Japanese flags being displayed around the ground.

The third and final match of the 2006 EAP Women's Cricket Challenge is scheduled for this Friday, the 15th of September.

Match Score Summary

PNG 7 - 156 from 50 overs

Gari Mea 44, Kune Amini 21, Boni David 20 not out, Miki Takemori 3 - 36 from 9 overs, Yumi Tsukui 1 - 25 from 7 overs

Japan 9 - 109 from 50 overs Ema Kuribayashi 31, Yuki Chionone 19, Konio Heagi 3-17 from 10 overs, Karu Lumis 1-13 from 10 overs

Player of the Match: Konio Heagi

For the full scores please visit www.icc-eap-cricket.com