PNG clean sweep Townsville series
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Cricket Team today finished of their 3-match series against the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Regional Team in style by recording a 3 wicket win
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Cricket Team today finished of their 3-match series against the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Regional Team in style by recording a 3 wicket win.
QAS Captain Darren Frakes won the toss and elected to bat in perfect conditions at Gill Park. PNG made two changes to the team from the second match with Frank Doura and Inoa Baeau replacing Jamie Brazier and Captain Rarua Dikana (both rested).
The young PNG team started well with Loa Nou (1 for 35 off 7 overs) claiming a wicket in the first over of the innings. The QAS batsmen responded aggressively with Tony Hampson and Darren Frakes pushing the score along to 54 before Frakes was cruelly run out off the bowler's hand backing up at the non-strikers end.
Shaun Austin and Hampson fell in quick succession as Inoa Baeau (2 for 33 off 7) and Hitolo Areni (1 for 28 off 5) both chimed in with the score on 67. Cameron Rowlands and Barry Weir built a solid partnership as the QAS moved to 4 for 146 in the 28th over.
Stand-in PNG Captain Chris Amini (3 for 39 off 8) shifted the momentum back with two wickets in consecutive balls and then two run outs left the QAS at 9 for 169 with 6 overs remaining. Baeau returned to the bowling crease and claimed the final wicket caught and bowled to dismiss the QAS for 180 in the 37th over.
The run chase started disastrously for PNG with opening batsmen Arua Uda (8 runs off 14 balls) and Frank Doura (7 off 22) both falling victim inside the first 8 overs. Assad Vala (5 off 11) followed soon after and PNG were in trouble at 3 for 26 off 12 overs. Amini (23 off 44) steadied the ship with Mahuru Dai (84 off 79) but when the former fell LBW the QAS bowlers pounced claiming Mahuta Kivung (11 off 32) and Piki Ravusiro (11 off 11) in the middle part of the innings.
John Ovia (15 off 27) joined Dai at the crease, the latter continuing to chance his hand as the required run rate crept up to 6 runs an over.
Despite Ovia falling with 3 overs remaining, PNG again held on in a tight finish to clean sweep the 3-match series. Dai's match-winning 84 not out the highlight of another impressive run chase as PNG now turn their attention to the World Cricket League Division 3 event to be played in Darwin, Australia from 27 May - 2 June.