Gabba Champions Shield

ANZ batted first and were all bowled out for 80 after only 23.2 overs.

Opener Jack Vare (20) and Charles Amini Junior (29) were the only two batsmen to score in the twenties.

It was BSP’s Sese Bau who did the damage with a 5 wicket haul off his 6 overs. Bau finished with figures of 5/15.

In BSP’s run chase, Sese Bau backed up again with the bat with an unbeaten 38 runs. He was assisted by Assad Vala who scored 31 runs.

BSP only lost two wickets as they surpassed the target easily after 11.2 overs. BSP finished at 2/81.

They defeated Digicel Dragons by 73 runs in a T20 encounter at Amini Park late yesterday afternoon.

Avalanches won the toss and elected to bat, posting an impressive 5/153 off their allotted 20 overs.

PNG Barramundis Captain Jack Vare (54) and Arina Lahari (52) shared a great opening partnership to hit  Avalanches off to a good start.

Dragons’ bowlers were not able to penetrate the Avalanches’ batsmen, with William Aiga (2/24) the only multiple wicket-taker for the Avalanches.

They beat Paradise Foods Pistons in the first T20 match of round three by 69 runs with five wickets in hand.

Pistons sent Heart to the crease after winning the toss.

Daure Kila (2/41) clean bowled Raho Sam for 3 in the second over before PNG Barramundis star batsman Assad Vala joined Ratu Maha to put on a 79 run second wicket partnership.

They steered Heart out of any real trouble before Maha fell for an entertaining 31 runs off just 24 balls which included five boundaries while Vala was eventually dismissed for 92 runs off 53 balls.

ANZ batted first and were soon in trouble for 3/38 after eight overs. 

Sakavai Gebai (27), Norman Vanua (26) and Greg Baeau (24) then steadied the innings, to steeer ANZ out of trouble.

But Paradise Foods Pistons’ captain Mahuru Dai (5/24) turned the match again, with a five wicket haul which was the first for the Gabba Champions Shield

ANZ were all bowled out for 155 inside 36 overs. Dai picked up the first five-wicket haul of the Gabba Shield.

After winning the toss, BSP got off to a perfect start, with Raho Sam (35) and Ratu Maha (51) putting on an opening partnership of 54 runs.

But Sam’s dismissal saw wickets fall at regular intervals.

BSP were eventually bowled out for 166 in under 44 overs.

 In reply, ANZ’s opening pair of Jack Vare (74 off 55 balls) and Arina Lahari (62 off 32 balls) belted the BSP bowlers around Amini Park.

Vare’s knock saw eight fours and 3 sixes.

ANZ reached the target comfortably in 22.1 overs, losing just three wickets on the way.

It’s been two years since the last Gabba Champions Shield was held.

Four men’s and three women’s teams are confirmed to take part this year.

The men’s teams- ANZ Avalanches, BSP Heart, Digicel Dragons and Paradise Foods Pistons.

The women’s teams- Pure Water Diamonds, Remington Rhinos and Swire Shipping Sharks.

All teams will be playing six  rounds of T20, 50 over and 2-day cricket and will feature both current and former national players.