PNG Barramundis

Fresh off a drought-breaking victory in the 50 Over format against Oman, the Barras defeated the hosts again, this time in the T20I format with a comprehensive 8 wicket victory. In doing so from recent memory, the team has broken a 7-year streak against Oman in this format.

With a change to the bowling line up, the Barramundies started fast as Alei Nao wreaked havoc early, taking two wickets (both bowled) along with big Nosiana Pokana taking a wicket, giving Oman early trouble at 3/15.

Veteran Toni Ura starred in the match registering 62 run off just 33 deliveries and was named player of the match.

Malaysia won the toss and elected to bat first while the Baramandis filled in the pitch. At the completion of the inning, Barras recorded 108 for 1 from 9.4 overs. Alei Nao recorded 3 for 26, Norman Vanua 2 for 29 and Sema Kamea 2 for 35.

The much experienced Assad Vala and Toni Ura had a blinder with the batter to secure their side a convincing win. Vala recorded 38 for 24 while the fellow batter, later named Player of the Match, Toni Ura recorded 62 for 33.

The Barramundis closed in at 4/92 (15.1 Overs) with Japan 8/87 (20 Overs).

Bowling first, the Barramundis were on fire in the field and with ball in hand. The wickets were shared around with 5 bowlers claiming a wicket each alongside two run outs and some fantastic outfield catching.

The Amini Park pitch is proving to be difficult to score on and is keeping low and slow, meaning the chase of 87 was never fully comfortable. After the loss of two early wickets, skipper Assad Vala steadied with CJ Amini to see PNG over the line.

Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) PNG Barramundis and Japan registered two wins each against fellow counterparts, Philippines and Vanuatu, who have yet to win a match. Both teams will be up to grab a win against each other.

With their chances of leading the race into second round of matches of the tournament, PNG and Japan will prove their credentials on the pitch today, to see who is worthy of representing the East Asia Pacific region in the T20 World Cup this October in India.

The national men’s team will play Japan today for an important match. Japan has been looking sharp in its opening two matches and would be the side to beat.  

Barramundis showed up again with the home-ground advantage to hold off the Philippines on the second day of the ICC T20 Men’s Cricket Qualifier, East Asia Pacific.

PNG won the toss to bat first and the Barramundis batter made the most out of their batting turn.

The host team, PNG Barramundis is hoping to give its best and qualify for the ICC World Cup Challenge which will be held in the West Indies later in the year.

During the press conference Tuesday afternoon, Cricket PNG CEO Richard Done, and Baramandi Head Coach Nathan Reardon remarked on the highly anticipated event by the PNG cricket community.

Coach Reardon believes his side is best in the region and will come out on top as winners at the end of the qualifier.

The young man from Hanuabada have impressed his superior not only with his game but also in the way carried himself throughout the event.

Coach Ovia said this young guy is the future of the Baramandi.He said John bowled some good areas although it was just his first time. He knew what he was doing and was great for the team.

At the PNG Baramandis and Lewas meet and greet program last Thursday, Asad Vala made his compliment on the teen cricket sensation.

The have defeated PNG by 11 runs in a tight high scoring match.

The victory is Jerseys first in ODI cricket after promotion from the ICC challenge league. 

The result has huge implications for PNG cricket and the Barramundis, now sitting at 0 wins and 3 losses through the tournament have all but lost ODI status and will be relegated to the ICC challenge league.

Unfortunately, this tournament has proved to be a completion of four years of tough times on field for the Barras and re-instated what’s been a sad and slow decline of on field performance.

With both bat and ball, the Barramundis were in a position of strength to take the game but couldn’t finish off.

With the ball PNG a Chad Soper clinic had the UAE on the ropes at 5/89 but a late order rally from the Emirates saw them post a competitive 260, a target however not out of reach.

With the bat PNG had a perfect platform sitting pretty at 0/146 of 20 Overs. From there it should have been an easy victory but a string of low scores saw the Barramundis collapse and the UAE roar to victory by 21 runs.

The results proved to be positive, with the team claiming two massive victories and two close losses.
 
With the final two rounds off the ICC World Cup League 2 effectively practice matches for the Barramundis, some fantastic team and individual performances are building confidence and a winning mentality amongst the group. 

Chad Soper (5/25) and Reily Hekure (5/13) shone with the ball while Sese Bau (74) and Tony Ura also had good tournaments with the bat.