The PNG Barramundis have opened their account at the ICC World T20 Qualifier with a comfortable 24-run victory over Jersey. Jersey had secured a shock win over Hong Kong in their first ever match at an ICC global qualifying event, but the Barramundis were too good for the tournament newcomers.
The Barramundis lost the toss and were sent in to bat after a delayed start due to rain. Openers Lega Siaka (26) and Tony Ura (22) got the team off to a flying start putting on 44 runs in the first four overs, before Siaka was dismissed.
Kila Pala (20) and Assad Va’a (29) combined for a 37-run partnership which took PNG’s score to 93 in the 12th over, before Pala was bowled causing the run rate to drop sharply. Captain Jack Vare smashed a handy 20 runs off 14 balls late in the game to help PNG post a defendable target of 9/145.
PNG’s bowlers were up to the task, bowling aggressively and were well supported by their fielders, enabling them to keep the run rate below a run a ball in the early overs.
Jonty Jenner’s 44 off 29 balls gave Jersey some hope before Willie Gavera picked him up in his second spell, with Norman Vanua then taking a very handy bag of three late wickets. Jersey lost their last six wickets for just 34 runs and were all out for 121 from 19.4 overs.
PNG Barramundis Head Coach Dipak Patel reflected that their innings was probably 20 runs short considering the start by the top order batsmen.
“Norman Vanua led from the front with the ball and I thought all the bowlers combined well and contributed to the outstanding bowling and fielding performance. It is good to get the first match out of the way and now take it game by game from here on. Our next game will be against Hong Kong and we are well prepared to make sure we record our second win,” concluded Patel.
Vanua was named man of the match for his 3/19.
PNG will take on Hong Kong in the second match in Bready on Monday night PNG time before they pack up and travel to Belfast to play host nation and tournament favourites Ireland on Tuesday night.
The top six sides from the 14 team ICC World T20 Qualifier competition will join the 10 Full Members for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which will be held from 11 March to 3 April 2016.
Tournament matches
Sun, 12 July –PNG v Jersey, Bready, Co. Tyrone (1000-1310);
Mon, 13 July –Hong Kong v PNG, Bready, Co. Tyrone (1000-1310);
Wed, 15 July – Ireland v PNG, Stormont, Belfast (1000-1310);
Fri, 17 July – Nepal v PNG, Malahide, Dublin (1000-1310);
Sat, 18 July –PNG v Namibia, Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725);
Sun, 19 July –PNG v USA, Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725);
Qualifying playoffs
Tue, 21 July – Qualifying Play-Off 1 (A2 v B3), Malahide, Dublin (1000-1310); Qualifying Play-Off 2 (A3 v B2), Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725)
Thurs, 23 July – Qualifying Play-Off 3 (A4 v loser Qualifying Play-Off 1, Malahide, Dublin (1000-1310); Qualifying Play-Off 4 (B4 v loser Qualifying Play-Off 2, Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725)
Sat, 25 July – Semi-final (B1 v Winner Qualifying Play-off 1), Malahide, Dublin (1000-1310); fifth/sixth position play-off (winner play-off 3 v winner play-off 4), Clontarf, Dublin (1000-1310); Semi-final (A1 v Winner Qualifying Play-off 2), Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725)
Sun, 26 July – Third place play-off, Malahide, Dublin (1000-1310); Final, Malahide, Dublin (1415-1725)
Live scores will be available throughout the tournament at http:https://www.icc-cricket.com/world-t20-qualifier.
We will bring you regular updates on our website www.cricketpng.com and you can also follow us on twitter – @Cricket_PNG and on our page on Facebook – http:https://www.facebook.com/cricketpng.
Source: Cricket PNG
