Barras spearhead firing up

HEBOU Papua New Guinea Barramundis strike bowler Norman Vanua is eager to build on his outstanding performances in the four-day I-Cup match, as his side prepares to take on Namibia in two One Day Internationals.
Vanua’s figures of 6-62 played a pivotal role in the Barramundis’ win, getting the most out of a wicket that favoured the batsmen.
“It was a more batsmen friendly wicket, really flat and low,” Vanua, 22, said.
“I wanted my deliveries to stay bounce but the batsmen played them really well.”
With the introduction of a new ball, Vanua with his right-arm pace bowling was able to turn things to his advantage.
“The new ball really favoured me because I got the extra bounce, and I made use of it.”
Vanua’s figures in the 2nd innings of 3-23 off 14 overs, played its part in killing off any chance the Namibians had of chasing down PNG’s total of 354.
Vanua told The National that the team was quietly confident of continuing their winning ways against Namibia, building on their experience facing Kenya in the country’s first ICC ODI fixture in May. The PNG bowling attack showed variety with the pace and spin options but there is no doubt that having a pace bowling spearhead was crucial to the cause.
Vanua said he was thankful he was able to get some assistance off the pitch and in the air to put his side in strong positions.
“The wicket is a tough one for the bowlers, but we’ve done really well bowling out the teams that have played at Amini Park with Kenya and now Namibia,” Vanua said.
Coach Dipak Patel praised the form of his attack, who were able to take 20 wickets in the match.
“The bowlers must take the credit in taking the 20 wickets we required to get the outright win and points,” Patel said.
“Norman (Vanua) and Willie Gavera as well as Chad Soper and John Boge reva kept the pressure on.”
Vanua has taken the new ball with either one of Soper or Gavera over the last month of playing for the Barramundis on their tour of Australia in the SACA premier league, and his ability to intimidate batsmen with pace and movement will play a big role in PNG’s fortunes during the ODI series that starts today.