HEBOU PNG Barramundis

United Arab Emirates batted first and finished the innings all out for 221.

With the Duckworth/Lewis method in play, the target was reduced to a 170 for victory in 28 overs.

A batting collapse in the top order led to their demise as the Barras were bowled out for 113.

“I didn’t start too well in my first over, but I managed to pull it back after that. Overall I was very happy with my death bowling, which has been a key part of my game over the past couple of months,” said fast bowler, Norman Vanua. 

The Hebou PNG Barramundis:

1.         Assad Vala (Captain)

2.         Vani Vagi Morea

3.         Lega Siaka

4.         Tony Ura

5.         Sese Bau

6.         Mahuru Dai

7.         Damien Ravu

8.         John Boge Reva

9.         Alei Nao

10.       Jason Kila

11.       Chad Soper

12.       Kipling Doriga

13.       Norman Vanua

14.       Jack Vare-Kevere

15.       Charles Amini Jnr

Coach: Joe Dawes

The match will start at 5:30 PM PGT.

Opener, Vani Vagi Morea, top scored with 58 runs to his name with the Barras all out for 194.

The hosts chased down the target comfortably with the winning runs hit in the 40^th over of the match.

Hamilton Masakadz (54) and Brendan Taylor (52) both played a big hand in the win smashing half centuries before both retired out.

Norman Vanua, Mahuru Dai and John Reva all picked up a wicket each for the Barras.

The 2018 World Cup Qualifier will run from March 4^th to the 25^th and will be played in Zimbabwe.

After winning a very crucial toss on a wicket that gets easier to bat on as the day progresses, Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer put the Barramundis to bat.

The Barras got off to a testing start, losing openers Tony Ura (11 runs) and Vani Vagi Morea (12 runs) to Safyaan Sharif and Mark Watt respectively.

The match was, in many ways, a mirror to the Hebou PNG Barramundis’ World Cricket League Championship campaign, which also began in defeat but ended in elation. Papua New Guinea ultimately qualified when it mattered and that is the hope for the rest of the tournament.

The Hebou PNG Barramundis:

1.         Assad Vala (Captain)

2.         Vani Vagi Morea

3.         Lega Siaka

4.         Tony Ura

5.         Sese Bau

6.         Mahuru Dai

7.         Damien Ravu

8.         John Boge Reva

9.         Alei Nao

10.       Jason Kila

11.       Chad Soper

12.       Kipling Doriga

13.       Norman Vanua

14.       Jack Vare-Kevere

15.       Charles Amini Jnr

Coach: Joe Dawes

Trying to make it to the World Cup for the first time in their history, the Hebou PNG Barramundis are taking giant strides toward qualification.

The Barras are currently preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

Adelaide Strikers’ leg-spinner, O’Connor, who was selected for the Big Bash showpiece on Sunday after being on the sideline for the entire Big Bash, took 0/27 off his allotted four overs to help the Adelaide Strikers win their maiden Big Bash title after defeating the Hobart Hurricanes by 25 runs. 

O’Connor got the opportunity to fly to Port Moresby through the Adelaide Strikers’ assistant coach and newly-appointed Cricket PNG National Coach, Joe Dawes.  

Speaking to the PNG media today, the newly-appointed Cricket PNG national coach opened up about his role in not only developing the Hebou PNG Barramundis, City Pharmacy PNG Lewas, Hebou PNG U19 Garamuts but also the development of cricket in PNG.

Dawes, who played first-class cricket for Queensland and Middlesex has made his career as a coach since his playing career was cut short due to a knee injury in 2005.

“But being involved with a successful Queensland setup, winning some (Shield) Shield Finals was a highlight of my career,” said Dawes.

Papua New Guinea has a rich history in this contest with many members of the Hebou PNG Barramundis and CPL PNG Lewas playing at the tournament for many years.

One of the most notable Western Australian players being Brad Hogg, who has won 2 World Cups, played Tests, ODIs and T20s for Australia and is still going at the ripe age of 46.

“I’ve been in the country two or three times now, and just seeing the way PNG cricket has taken off, and starting to be a presence in the world has been great,” said Hogg when he was in Papua New Guinea as a coach in March 2017.

The ICC announced that an independent assessment has found the bowling action of Nosiana Pokana to be illegal and, as such, the left-arm fast bowler has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

The assessment revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.