Barras go down fighting to Windies

THE PNG Barramundis put on a spirited performance but lost by six wickets to the West Indies in an ICC World Cup qualifier at Harare, Zimbabwe, on Saturday.
Batting first against the two-time cup winners, the Hebou-sponsored Barramundis managed 200 runs in 42.4 overs.
The West Indies faced a tough start to their runs chase as Papua New Guinea bowled and fielded soundly. Eventually they surpassed PNG’s total in the 43rd over with six wickets intact.
Captain Assad Vala is hopeful Tony Ura can continue his fine form after becoming his team’s highest scorer in an ODI with a knock of 151 against Ireland earlier.
The opener delivered another solid performance but it was his partner who would walk home early. Vani Vagi Morea was run out without scoring by opposing captain Jason Holder in the third ball of the match.
Vala had someone at the other end to give him company. Ura and Vala started to stroke the ball well and Ura smashed Ashley Nurse for two sixes in his first over that brought up 50 runs for the Barramundis in the ninth over.
Nurse was removed from the attack immediately and returned from the other end, to exact revenge and pick up the important wicket of Ura (37 runs, two 4s and two 6s) who had given a catch to Jason Mohammed.
Lega Siaka was caught as he went suddenly from 63-1 to 63-3 in the space of two balls. Sese Bau didn’t last long either, getting bowled by Brathwaite. In came Mahuru Dai and Vala and him were able to build on a partnership.
Dai, the master of unconventional shots, managed to score 35 runs from 43 balls. As they continued in this 69 run partnership, it seemed like the Barras might have finally found a solution to their batting woes.
Vala brought up his half century in the 33rd over of the PNG innings, with the score a healthy 150-4. Nikita Miller removed Dai. Vala didn’t last long either as he became Brathwaite’s third victim of the innings but had scored 57 runs in a good knock that included six boundaries.
West Indian keeper/batsman Shai Hope got stuck in at this point, finishing the game with 49 runs from 115 balls, in an innings that included only three boundaries.
Captain Jason Holder came in and took the attack to Papua New Guinea as they plugged away for the victory.
In the other games Scotland continued their impressive form by securing another victory by four wickets against Nepal while Hong Kong beat Afghanistan by 30.
Hebou PNG Barramundis 200 in 42.4 overs (A Vala 57 (89 balls), TP Ura 37 (45 balls), M Dai 35 (43 ball); CR Brathwaite 5-27, N Miller 2-25, AR Williams 1-31, K WIlliams 1-44 (7.4), lost to West Indies 201-4 (in 43 over) J Holder 99* (101 ball), SD Hope 49 (115 balls ), MN Samuels 24; N Vanua 1-36, Alei Nao 1-16, CJA Amini 1-51 by six wickets with 42 balls remaining.
The Barras also lost to the Netherlands yesterday by 57 runs. Netherlands 216-8 ( R Vander Merwe 38, Sikander Zulfiqar 53, Dai’ 2-29, Nao 2-28); beat Barras 159 (Vala 44, Doriga 32, Merwe 4-46) by 57 runs.