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Amini guides PNG home in a thriller
PAPUA New Guinea recorded a thrilling
one-wicket victory over South Pacific neighbour Fiji in Monday’s
World Cricket League division 3 round one match at Power Park in
Palmerston, Darwin, Australia.
Fiji Captain Seci Tuiwai won the toss and elected to bat on a
wicket that looked even but provided variable bounce for the
bowlers.
Eighteen-year-old opening batsmen Josefa Rika (33 off 60 balls)
started the innings confidently as Fiji progressed to 2/60 off
18 overs when drinks were taken.
PNG turned to Captain Rarua Dikana (2/18 off 7 overs) and
off-spinner Jamie Brazier (2/22 off 9.4) who struck twice in as
many overs following the break to reduce Fiji to 4/65.
Nineteen-year-old debutant Sekove Ravoka (23 off 53) fought hard
in the middle overs as his team mates fell around him.
Fiji was eventually dismissed for 138 in the 47th over. Dikana,
Brazier, Inoa Baeau (2/21 off 7), Loa Nou (2/34 off 10) and John
Ovia (2/13 off 7) claimed two wickets each for PNG.
Having bowled Fiji out within three hours PNG was required to
bat for 25 minutes prior to the lunch interval. The short
session proved to be disastrous for PNG who limped to 3/12 off
four overs before play was adjourned.
PNG’s chances took a further hit immediately after lunch when
Brazier (2 off 9) was trapped LBW. Mahuru Dai (4 off 20) and
Assad Vala (12 off 23) came and went in quick succession and
Fiji could sense an upset victory.
Vice-captain Chris Amini (71 not out off 148) showed poise and
maturity batting with the PNG tail who stood tall in their
team’s time of need.
Fiji claimed their ninth wicket in the 44th over with PNG still
requiring 24 runs for victory and the match still firmly in the
balance.
Amini and 18-year-old debutant Nou (2 not out off 14) crept
slowly towards the target with the former finally striking the
winning runs over mid-off with 1 ball remaining in the innings.
Amini was awarded man-of-the-match honours.
“I feel very proud to have contributed to our win today. Fiji
bowled very well with the new ball and we had to fight hard
through our innings,” Amini said.
Fiji Captain Seci Tuiwai commented: “We missed an opportunity
today but have made good progress since our loss to PNG on
Friday (practice match). Our bowlers got us back into the game
and we nearly pulled off a great victory.”
PNG and Fiji are among eight countries taking part in the ICC's
World Cricket League Division three matches this week in 20
matches spread over six venues to be played by line-ups from all
five of the ICC's development regions.
The top two sides in the tournament that involves Argentina, the
Cayman Islands, Fiji, Hong Kong, Italy, Papua New Guinea,
Tanzania and Uganda will earn a place in the ICC WCL Division
two in Windhoek, Namibia, in November.
 
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