Barramundis lose to hosts US

THE Papua New Guinea Barramundis are competing in the second round of the Cricket World Cup League Two one day international tournament in Florida, United States.
They completed the first two games of the round against the US in Fort Lauderdale, losing both in tough encounters.
The first match was affected by rain, with the Barramundis facing a revised target of 165 off 23 overs in reply to the home side’s 9/251 (50).
They went down by five runs to finish 6/159.
Aaron Jones’ 77, Elmore Hutchinson’s 42 not-out (off 21 balls) and Monank Patel’s 35 helped the US to victory.
Barramundis’ Nosaina Pokana again led the bowling attack with 3/40 alongside Jason Kila also with 3/40.
In reply, the Barramundis kept close to the required run rate with Charles Amini Jr, pictured, playing a brilliant innings of 53 off 34 balls and captain Assad Vala’s 48 (50).
But with Amini falling in the first ball of the last over, PNG’s hopes faded in a frustrating match.
Karima Gore was the standout with the ball for the US with 3/25 off his five overs.
In the return match on Friday, the US won the toss and elected to bat with Nosaina and Jason again snaring three wickets each and Lega Siaka grabbing two.
They restricted the US 177. Patel top-scored with 66 and Hutchinson again doing damage late in the innings with 28 off 24 balls.
The Barramundis chase started well with a 31-run stand before losing Tony Ura for 19 quickly followed by Gaudi Toka.
Apart from a 41-run stand between Vala (38) and Doriga, it was sadly a procession of wickets with Karima Gore (4/20) running through the middle order to take three wickets in one over to have PNG reeling at 7/88.
The US had broken the back of the Barramundis who were bowled out for 115, handing the home side a 62-run win.
The Barramundis will lament the game, having the US 7/100 and not closing out the innings and then struggled against Gore, who has been the star of the tournament so far.
PNG now look forward to a double-header against Namibia to end round, desperate for two wins to start building momentum and confidence within the squad.