PNG victory secures semi-final position
Papua New Guinea (PNG) today recorded a comprehensive victory over Italy and in doing so earned a place in the Semi-Finals of the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 event
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Placed third in Pool A coming into the match, PNG needed to defeat Italy by a considerable margin to overtake the Pool A leaders on net run rate. PNG did just that, producing their best performance of the tournament.
Italy Captain Joe Scuderi won the toss and elected to bat on a slow wicket at Nightcliff Oval.
PNG opening bowlers Hitolo Areni (1/10 off 7 overs) and Loa Nou (1/20 off 8) restricted the Italian batsmen early in their innings and were rewarded with the wicket of Scuderi.
It was the spin bowling of Jamie Brazier (3/18 off 10) and Mahuta Kivung (3/31 off 10) that did most of the damage however as Italy scrambled their way to 9/134 off their allocated 50 overs.
PNG began their innings needing to reach their target of 135 within 40.1 overs. Opening batsmen Arua Uda (58 off 92 balls) and Frank Doura (20 off 47) started positively with PNG progressing to 53 before the latter was bowled trying to cut leg-spinner Jayasena.
John Ovia (26 not out off 49) joined Uda and produced a match-winning partnership that took PNG within striking distance of victory. Uda fell in the 31st over with PNG still requiring 18 runs however a quickfire 14 off 11 balls from Brazier saw PNG over line in the 34th over.
Uda was named Man of the Match as PNG secured second place in Pool A and a position in the Semi-Finals.
PNG Coach Api Leka commented on the match:
"We knew we had to have a big win today to keep our chances alive and the boys got the result we wanted. Our bowling was again of a high standard and we executed our batting plan well for the first time in this tournament. Hopefully we can take this form into tomorrow's Semi-Final against Uganda."
Full scorecards are available here.
PNG will now play Uganda in the Semi-Final after the African team finished on top of Pool B.