Samoa and PNG shaping up for showdown

Samoa and PNG are heading for a final day showdown at the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 – East Asia-Pacific Qualifier 2017 after they both recorded comprehensive wins in Sano, Japan.

In yesterday’s match between Samoa and Japan, the trend of bowling first continued as Samoa sent Japan in.

Japan never looked like setting a competitive total with a run rate of under two runs an over for most of the match.

Some late hitting from Rio Endo (9 not out) brought some spark to the last quarter of the innings but it was too late and Japan could only manage 49 runs from their 20 overs.

Samoa took less than 10 overs to chase down the total with player of the match Lagi Otila Telea (17 not out) continuing her good form with the bat and securing Samoa a seven-wicket win.

In the afternoon PNG were again too strong for Vanuatu winning by five wickets.

PNG’s captain Pauke Siaka (33 runs and 1 for 7) put in a player of the match performance to lead her team to their third victory.

For Vanuatu Judy Avok’s 47 was the highlight of their batting innings as they made 8 for 81 from their 20 overs.

Ravini Oa (2 for 10), Sibona Jimmy (2 for 13) and Kaia Arua (2 for 13) all picked up two wickets for PNG.

With two days of play to come, Samoa and PNG remain the teams to beat with the winner most likely to be decided in their final match on Thursday.

The 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 – East Asia-Pacific Qualifier 2017 is taking place in Sano, Japan from April 28 to May 5 and will feature teams from Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.

The top team will qualify for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held in later 2017 or early 2018.

Summary Score
Japan 6/49 (20) Tato 2/11 (4) defeated by Samoa 3/51 (9.4) Telea 17*, Miyaji 2/10 (3.4) by 7 wickets

Vanuatu 8/81 (20) Avok 47*, Oa 2/10 (4), Jimmy 2/13 (4), Arua 2/13 (4) defeated by PNG 5/82 (14.3) Siaka 33, Frank 21* by 5 wickets