Australia prove too strong for Barras

Sports

CRICKET Australia’s (CA) national performance squad (NPS) were too strong for the Hebou PNG Barramundis claiming a four-wicket win in their 50-over tour match at Allan Border Oval, Brisbane last Friday.
Batting first, PNG were bowled out for 244 off 48.1 overs against a strong NPS bowling outfit.
Disappointingly for the Barramundis, the top six batsmen all got starts, reaching double figures with Lega Siaka (53) the only batsman to reach a half century.
Assad Vala (44) continued his good form with bat, before being runout while Vani Vagi Morea (40), Sese Bau (22), Norman Vanua (22) and Mahuru Dai (20) all made valuable contributions.
Daniel Fallins (3-45) was the pick of the NPS bowlers, while Michael Cormack (2-35) picked up a couple of wickets as well.
In reply, the NPS had little difficulty chasing down the target of 245 in 45 overs, losing just six wickets on the way.
Josh Inglis was the star with the bat for NPS smashing 122 runs off 105 balls at the top of the order while Parum Uppal guided the NPS to the target with an unbeaten 47 runs.
Off-spinner Mahuru Dai (3-49) was once again the pick of the PNG attack taking three wickets, while Sese Bau (1-27) and John Boge Reva (1-38) claimed a wicket each.
The Barramundis played the Australian Indigenous team yesterday at the Norths Ground in Brisbane.
Last Wednesday, PNG (278/9) bounced back from their 84-run loss to the Indigenous side (278/5) at the start of the tour to play out a tie in their second match in Brisbane. PNG captain Assad Vala (78) and opener Van Vagi Morea (53) did well to get their side to within striking distance of the Indigenous total but the Barras’ lower order could not get them over the line.
The Barramundis tour is in preparation for ICC Intercontinental Cup (ICUP)/World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) Round 6 fixture against Scotland which will take place in Port Moresby from Oct 1-8.
PNG 244 (Lega Siaka 53 , Assad Vala 44, Vani Vagi Morea 40, Norman Vanua 22, Sese Bau 22; Daniel Fallins 3-45, Michael Cormack 2-35) CA National Performance Squad 248/6 (Josh Inglis 122, Param Uppal 47 not out; Mahuru Dai 3-49, Sese Bau 1-27, John Boge Reva 1-38). CA NPS won by four wickets with 32 balls remaining.
Fixtures: Tues, Sept 5 –a PNG v Australian Indigenous XI; Wed, Sept 6 – PNG v Tasmania; Thurs, Sept 7 – PNG v Victoria (T20); Tues-Wed Sept 12-13 – PNG v NT Invitational (2-Day); Sat, Sept 16 – PNG v Edge; Sun, Sept 17 – PNG v Grit; Sat, Sept 23 – PNG v Force; Sun, Sept 24 – PNG v Mavericks.