PNG fall agonisingly short at Pepsi ICC WCL Division 3
Barramundi’s do themselves and EAP region proud
The PNG Barramundi’s have finished agonisingly short of advancing to the next stage of the World Cricket League, finishing 3rd in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 Tournament held in Buenos Aries, Argentina from the 24th to the 31st January 2009.
Afghanistan and Uganda both finished on 8 points, as did PNG, however with an inferior net run rate were relegated to 3rd position in the final placings.
PNG started the tournament with a comfortable victory over Cayman Islands, passing their moderate total of 121 with the loss of just 4 wickets. Captain Rarua Dikana was the star for the Barramundi’s, taking 5/14 from 8 tidy overs, while dashing opener Vani Vagi Morea belted PNG to victory with 64 from just 51 balls, including 4 towering sixes.
Up against host nation Argentina in Round 2, the Barramundi’s posted a disappointing total of 127. Vani Vagi Morea was again in the runs, knocking up a quick-fire 39. It was again Captain Dikana to the rescue, taking the amazing figures of 5/5 from 8.4 overs, to bundle the hosts out for 106 in the 45th over.
Round 3 shaped as a vital match against the highly fancied Ugandan side, and after batting first, the Barramundi’s posted a reasonable score of 165. Peter Moide scored 43 not out, while John Ovia, Assad Vala and Mahuru Dai all contributed. The PNG bowlers again were outstanding, knocking over Uganda for just 139, with veteran Jamie Brazier taking 4/16 from his 10 overs, ably supported by young speedsters Loa Nou and Willie Gavera.
Round 4 turned out to be the decisive match of the tournament, with PNG comprehensively beaten by Afghanistan. Posting a disappointing total of just 93, it was never going to be enough and Afghanistan smashed their way to an 8 wicket victory in the 16th over.
PNG went in to Round 5 needing to win by a significant margin to lift the net run rate, a feat they managed to achieve, knocking off Hong Kong by 9 wickets. PNG reached the modest target of 91 runs in just the 13th over, with Vani Vagi Morea and Chris Amini putting together another solid opening stand. Dikana, Ovia and Nou were the pick of the bowlers.
With both Afghanistan and Uganda in precarious positions in their Round 5 matches, PNG looked like finishing atop the ladder and progressing, however rain interfered and the remaining matches were replayed the next day. Unfortunately for the Barramundi’s, Afghanistan and Uganda took their second chances and won comfortably, relegating PNG to 3rd on the table.
While it is disappointing not to progress to the next stage, the tournament provided many highlights and is a great platform to launch the next assault on Pepsi World Cricket League Division 3. Vani Vagi Morea had an outstanding tournament opening the batting, as did his partner Chris Amini, while Rarua Dikana and Loa Nou were at their damaging best with the ball.