Hebou PNG Garamuts

Both teams were winless going into their last match in New Zealand.

The two lowly ranked teams of World Cricket did not disappoint in that regard as they played out a nail biter, Kenya winning by 14 runs.

Kenya won the toss and immediately elected to bat. A decision that looked to prove costly facing James Tau who is in great form with his bowling for the Garamuts.

Kenya put on 60 runs as Tau tried every bowling combination possible to get them out, but to no avail.

Some gutsy bowling from PNG’s James Tau was not enough to get the Garamuts a win, as they lost to Ireland by 3 wickets at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

They sure made hard work of it, but Ireland were ultimately successful in chasing PNG's modest total of 121.

Neil Rock top-scored with 43 and it was his 45-run partnership with Graham Kennedy (17*) that steadied the ship and saw Ireland home.

James Tau took 4/45 for PNG off his 10 overs and Sema Kamea chipped in with 2/22 off his full complement.

Winning the toss, captain Vagi Karaho sent the Canadians in to bat first at Lincoln.

Akash Gill was the star with the bat, hitting 12 fours and two sixes for his 120 before finally being bowled out by Daure Aiga.

For the Garamuts, James Tau (2/37) and Leke Morea (2/69) picked up two wickets each.

Canada finished at 8/265.

In their pursuit of the target, a knock of 81 runs from opener Simon Atai was not enough as the Garamuts crumbled to be all out for 185 in 44 overs.

The Garamuts batted first and were pummelled by the Indian attack. They finished all out for a mere 64. This came all inside 21.5 overs.

Ovia Sam top scored for PNG with 15 runs to his name.

For India, all-rounder, Anukul Roy was the key destroyer claiming five scalps to finish with 5/14.

India’s captain, Prithvi Shaw smashed 57 runs, and was assisted by Manjot Kalra who chipped in with 9 runs as India cruised to a comfortable win.

The Garamut’s last pool match will be against Australia this Friday.

After a rain delayed start, Zimbabwe won the toss electing to field first at Lincoln No.3, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Garamuts openers, Simon Atai (14) and Igo Mahuru (26), steadied along to put on 41 runs for the first wicket.

The Garamuts were dealt another blow losing captain Vagi Karaho who managed one run before being given out leg before wicket off the bowling of Wesley Madhevere.

Ovia Sam (24*) and Sinaka Arua (18) tried to get things going again.

The Pool B match will get underway at Lincoln No.3, Christchurch, starting at 10:30am (7:30am PNG time).

The next two matches will see the Garamuts play India on Tuesday, January 16, and Australia on Friday, January 19.

The Hebou PNG Garamuts:

Vagi Karaho (captain); Daure Aiga; Heagi Toua; Ovia Sam; Sinaka Arua; Igo Mahuru; Nou Rarua; James Tau; Leke Morea; Boge Arua; Kevau Tau; Simon Atai (wicketkeeper); Eisa Eka; Sema Kamea and Tau Nou. Kila Pala (coach).

The first is tomorrow with the Garamuts to face the West Indies. Wednesday is their second warm up match against hosts New Zealand.

The World Cup will run from January 13-Febuary 3. The Garamuts’ first match of the World Cup will be against Zimbabwe on January 13.

This will be the Garamuts’ eighth appearance at an U19 Cricket World Cup, having already played in 1998 (South Africa), 2002 (New Zealand), 2004 (Nepal), 2008 (Malaysia), 2010 (New Zealand), 2012 (Australia) and 2014 (UAE).

Pool A: Kenya, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa.

Pool B: India, Australia, PNG, Zimbabwe

Pool C: Bangladesh, Canada, England, Namibia

Pool D: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland.

The Garamuts left for New Zealand this morning. This will be their eighth appearance at an ICC U19 World Cup.

This year’s World Cup will feature sixteen teams - 10 Full Members and 6 Associate Members, with all teams divided into four pools.

An unbeaten 59 runs from Nou Reva Rarua, plus knocks from Igo John Mahuru (31), Heagi Ronald Toua (30) and Ovia Lohia Sam (29) help set up a target of 264.

Fiji’s run chase ended inside 16 overs after they were all bowled out for 54.

Sam (4/2) made light work of the Fijians ripping through the batting attack. Sam was assisted by Boge Daniel Arua (2/23) and James Junior Tau (1/10).

Fiji: 54 16.3/50 ov RR: 3.27

Papua New Guinea: 264/9 50/50 ov RR: 5.28.

The Garamuts will take on Samoa on Monday August 14. 

Batting first, the Garamuts set Vanuatu a target of 136 to win. Runs came from Vagi Karaho (24), Nou Reva Rarua (18) and Leke Morea (16).

Obed Yosef was key for Vanuatu with figures of 4/28.

In their pursuit, Vanuatu were stopped short being bowled out for a measly 105 inside 33 overs. Bethan Moli top scored for his side with 23 runs next to his name.

The chief destroyers for the Garamuts were James Junior Tau (3/27), Leke Morea (2/14), Sema Igo Kamea (2/14) and Toua Morgan (2/7).

Vanuatu: 105 33.5/50 ov RR: 3.10