Barras thump Kenya

IT was an historic first win on home soil for the Hebou Papua New Guinea Barramundis (191/4) as they soundly defeated Kenya (188) by six wickets in the first match of the World Cricket League Championship series at Amini Park on Saturday.
It was the bowlers that did the job for PNG with medium pacer Chad Soper (5-27) leading the charge with a five wicket haul and John Boge Reva (2-19) with a two-for. On a low wicket it was the pacemen in Soper and Reva that caused the most trouble for the Kenyan batting bowling out the visitors for 188 in the 47th over.
Soper took his five-for in his second spell and cleaned up the Kenyan tail with his stump to stump deliveries.
The Hebou Barramundis top order then made solid contributions to steer the side past the target in 34.3 overs. This was PNG’s third win of the competition and helped them tie with Kenya on six points.
Half-centuries from Assad Vala (69 not out) and Vani Vagi Morea (53) ensured the home team chalked up the required runs in good time for the loss of four wickets.
The Kenyans had earlier won the toss elected to bat after the Barras had them at 52/3 in the first 15 overs wicketkeeper Irfan Karim (73 not out) played out the innings as his teammates came and went.
Karim began the recovery through a 56-run fourth-wicket stand with captain Rakep Patel. Patel was run out for 39 in the 30th over, but Gurdeep Singh helped add 42 more with Karim.
Once Gurdeep was caught for 33 with the score at 150, Soper dismantled the lower order in quick time.
He took all the remaining wickets from the 41st to 47th over as Kenya lost their last five batsmen for 16 runs. PNG openers Morea and Lega Siaka made a solid start to the chase, putting on 42 in just 7.1 overs. Kenya’s Elijah Otieno broke through having Siaka caught for 24 before Vala and Morea added 84 for the second wicket.
Nehemiah Odhiambo then struck with the wickets of Morea and Sese Bau in quick succession to leave PNG at 131 for 3.
Mahuru Dai and Vala added 52 for the fifth wicket but the all-rounder fell for 27 leaving the Barras No.3, who scored his fourth half century in this format, see the Barramundis home.