Barramundis go 1-2 against Sri Lankan Academy

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Monday 08th April, 2013

 AFTER a morale-boosting five-wicket win over a Sri Lankan Emerging XI in a Twenty-20 match last Thursday the Papua New Guinea Hebou Barramundis have slumped to back-to-back loses.

In the opening match of the tour of Colombo, the Barramundis (169/5) reeled in the 169 target set by the Lankans thanks to a half century by big-hitting Assad Vala.

The classy opener hit 61 of 38 balls to propel the visitors to the best possible start of their tour.

Vala’s opening partner Tony Ura also had a good first knock scoring 27 of 26 balls.

Legspinner Charles Amini Jnr who took 2-35 was the only bowler who picked up a double.

On Friday in the second T20 fixture the Academy took revenge against an unchanged Barramundis line-up.

This time the Sri Lankans posted 196/6 and won by 37 runs restricting PNG to 152/8 in their alloted 20 overs. PNG missed no less than six run out chances in the first six overs of the Sri Lankan innings and would have rued the opportunities to keep the homeside’s total to a less formidable score. 

Contributers with the bat this time were Vani Vagi Morea (20 off 21 balls), Jack Vare (29 off 13 balls) and Charles Amini Jnr (20 off 14 balls).

In the 50-over match on Saturday the Barramundis lost by seven wickets.

PNG could only manage 105 runs in their innings which the Sri Lankans easily overhauled in seven overs for the loss of three wickets.