Barras aim to finish well

**PNG’s Norman Vanua (left) and Sese Bau celebrating score during their partnership. – AFPpic**

THE national men’s cricket team may be Twenty-20 World Cup rookies, but captain Assad Vala spoke of the Papua New Guinea Barramundis’ ambition to make a habit of their appearance in the showpiece tournament.
Despite bowing out of contention after losses to hosts Oman and Scotland, they remain upbeat and are looking to finish well in their final group match against Bangladesh today (8pm bat-off, PNG time).
PNG know that they have a daunting task at hand, particularly against Bangladesh’s quality spin attack at Oman Cricket Academy in Muscat.
But Vala wants his teammates to enjoy the moment.
“We will come up against quality spinners,” the 34-year-old Central native said.
“We have been working hard in training.
“It is just about executing and expressing ourselves.
“We have to play with flair.
“We pride ourselves on our fielding.

**PNG all-rounder Chad Soper bowling against Scotland. The Milne Bay and New Zealand native claimed three wickets.**

“We have to play well in other departments too to become an all-round team.
“It is all about having fun.
“We want to leave everything on the field, but we want to represent our country with a smile in our face.”
Coach Carl Sandri’s men want to ensure that people back home, who are suffering from what is being described as the “worst surge” in Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began, have something to smile about.
Vala is among the key players, but so are fellow talented all-rounders Norman Vanua – who is nursing a shoulder injury – and Charles Amini Jr.
“He (Vanua) is a very good all-rounder,” he said.
“He played a really good innings against Kenya to get us over the line.
“Amini is the leader of our spin attack.
“There’s a lot of responsibility on him. He is a really good bowler.
“He can turn the game around in all three departments. Hopefully, the pitches will help him.”
Vala said their new Australian bowling coach Chadd Sayers, who joined in July this year, has also become friendly with the bowling unit.
“He is really good. I think the bowlers are enjoying working with him,” he said.

**PNG opening bowler Kabua Vagi-Morea appealing for a wicket. Vagi-Morea took four wickets in the Barramundis’ 17-run loss. – Getty Images**

“He played at the highest level for Australia.
“He is always talking about getting AB de Villiers out.
“It is a lot of fun and banter with the boys.
“They are enjoying his company and getting a lot from him.” – espncricinfo