HEBOU PNG Barramundis

The event will be from the 21st November to 10th December 2017.

The 14-man squad will once again be led by Assad Vala with former Australian first-class cricketer and Australian women’s assistant coach, Joe Dawes, being in charge of his first assignment as Cricket PNG’s (CPNG’s) consultant coach.

The squad will feature 12 players from the Port Moresby Cricket Association (POMCA), Chad Soper who is currently based in Sydney playing Grade Cricket for Northern District and Damian Ravu from Lae Cricket Association (LCA).

The schedules of the leagues is due to start in 2019 and 2020 respectively with the purpose to bring context and meaning to bilateral cricket.

ICC Chairman, Shashank Manohar, said: “Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on. This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts and in the case of the ODI league, it counts towards qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup.”

This was announced by the ICC after Hong Kong defeated Nepal in the final series of round six matches.

ICC World Cricket League Championship standings:

The Barras are now only two points behind current leaders Netherlands.

From 12 matches played, the Barras have won eight and lost four, which has brought them up to 16 competition points.

The current standings:

Netherlands (18), PNG (16), Scotland (15), Kenya (12), Hong Kong (11), Nepal (8), Namibia (6), United Arab Emirates (6).

The ICC World Cricket League Championship is the top division of the World Cricket League (WCL) system, and forms part of the qualification process for the Cricket World Cup.

A much improved bowling attack reduced the Scots to 203 inside 49 overs. Norman Vanua (2/36), John Reva (2/35) and Mahuru Dai (2/19) did most of the work with the ball.

In their run chase, openers Vani Vagi Morea (18) and Tony Ura (25) made a strong start putting on 44 runs for the first wicket.

Captain Assad Vala continued where they left off, adding on another 49 runs. Vala’s dismissal left the Barras at 5/130, with the game in the balance.

But it was Dai (63*) and Dogodo Bau (14*) who guided the Barras home to victory with 12 balls to spare.

“I was very happy with the performance of our bowlers and fielders today and to restrict a quality opposition to 278 after the start they had. The bowlers were exceptional, especially the death bowling from Alei Nao and Norman Vanu,” said Vala.

The Scots ripped through the top order and won the match inside 43 overs.

“To be bowled out for 177 on a good wicket was very disappointing. We gave away soft dismissals, we didn’t get any partnerships going and overall we were very disappointed from our batting group.

The Scots batted first, setting a target of 279 for the home side to chase down for victory.

Calum MacLeod was the star with the bat smashing his 154 runs off 163 balls. His knock included 15 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Other contributions came from Richie Berrington (54) and captain Kyle Coetzer (46).

Alei Nao (3/40) and Norman Vanua (3/57) were the Barras’ best with the ball.

A batting collapse in the top order left the Barras reeling at 5-85 after 20.3 overs.

“It was a very difficult game to force a result but our attitudes and efforts from our boys were outstanding.

“Our efforts in the field was as good as any international team either full member or associate member. It was fantastic,” said Gillespie. 

The draw for the two sides has allowed Scotland to push past the Barras on 46 points.

The Barras have slipped down two spots and are now in sixth position, on 43 points. 

The current Intercontinental Cup Standings:

Starting the day at 9/482, Scotlands’ Mark Watt (81*) and Chris Sole (21) managed to take the score beyond 500 runs before Barras’ debutant, Damien Ravu picked up his maiden wicket trapping Sole lbw when the score reached 514.  

Trailing by 110, the Barras got off to a shaky start when opener Vani Vagi Morea (13) was dismissed by Alasdair Evans.

Lega Siaka (83) and Tony Ura (75) batted brilliantly to post a century partnership for the second wicket to take any realistic chance of Scotland taking outright points.

Richie Berrington did the damage, punishing the Hebou PNG Barramundis’ bowlers for his 129 runs, which included fifteen boundaries.

Berrington was eventually dismissed by Barras’ captain Assad Vala.

The tail-enders then went to work. Safyaan Sharif, the star with the ball for Scotland, made a valuable 25 runs while Mark Watt (61*) and Chris Sole (14*) were able to take Scotland to 9/482 at stumps to put Scotland ahead in the match.