Barras drop first two games

 THE Papua New Guinea Barramundis have started their South Australia Cricket Association Premier League campaign with two losses in Darwin. 

Saturday’s 50-over match saw the PNG suffer a 72-run loss to the Western Grit followed by a five-wicket loss to the Northern Mavericks today. 

Saturday’s match was played on a bouncy, fast-paced pitch at the Gardens Oval.  

The Barras succumbed to the quality pace attack led by former Australian ODI and Test bowler, Peter George who ran through the Barras top order to claim 5/20 with off spinner Dan Cullen picking up 2/31.

Earlier on, Western Grit captain and former Australian Test batsman, Callum Ferguson won the toss and elected to bat. 

The Grit started confidently were 145-4 after 35 overs and looked certain to setup a total in excess of 220 before a late fight back from the Barras saw them lose their last six wickets for 40 runs to eventually be dismissed for 181. 

Mahuru Dai was the pick of the bowlers with 2/21 and had support from skipper, Chris Amini who took 1/8 and also had two run outs to his name. 

The Barras were not able to backup their efforts in the field with the bat as the top order collapsed to be 49-6 at one stage to be eventually all out for 109.  

Mahuru Dai was the only shinning light with the bat as he showed some fight in the middle to top score with 42.

In Sunday’s match against the Northern Mavericks, PNG were bowled out for a much improved 145. 

Vice-captain, Jack Vare led the way with an unbeaten 37 as he partnered with Andrew Hicks (21) in a handy 32 run partnership for the 7th wicke. 

The Northern Mavericks (145-5) got through some anxious moments when they were 71-4 before a match winning partnership between, Sam Miller (45no) and Stuart Coles (39) steadied the ship to get home with five wickets to spare. 

PNG scored 191 in yesterday’s match against Northern Territory Strike at Marrara Oval.