Barras whipped

 By PETER PUSAL

A FIGHTING 96 by Papua New Guinea wicketkeeper Jack Vare was the only bright spot in the 130-run loss to the Netherlands yesterday. 

Chasing a huge target of 324 runs at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park, PNG’s batsmen seemed intimidated by the task with the first six wickets falling for 57 runs in 17.5 overs before Vare’s arrival in the Barramundis’ third Group B match at the One-Day Cricket World Cup qualifiers in New Zealand.

The 28 year-old, known more as a grafter and accumulator of runs, switched to big-hitting mode in what was ultimately a lost cause, but he entertained the crowd and showed the Dutch that the Hebou-sponsored side was not about throw in the towel just yet. 

Vare’s knock included sevens fours and as many sixes in a 59-ball stay at the crease – his was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Malik Jamil at the  37.2 over mark with 193 on the board.

With a required run rate of 6.48, the Barramundis normally explosive top three batsmen were kept in check by tight spells from Mudassar Bukhari (3 for 15 off 9 overs) and  Paul van Meekeren (1-54 off 10). 

The duo combined to remove the Barramundis’ first four batsmen through seam and swing.

The pressure saw the Barramundis tentative and unable to score freely resulting in the white ball beating the bat on several occasions. 

Tony Ura’s run-drought continued with the opener, who gained attention last December with a brilliant 100 against the same opposition at the T20 World Cup qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates, bowled for five – his average at this tournament is currently 3.00 from three games.

He survived to the 10th over before having his stumps scattered by Bukhari.

Earlier in the innings opening partner Lega Siaki managed 14 before falling to Van Meekeren, caught by Daan van Bunge.

Assad Vala came and went for athird-ball duck and captain Chris Amini failed to turn the tide as he fell for 9 – both men were dismissed by Bukhari.

Geraint Jones (6), Mahuru Dai (15) and Charles Amini Jr (13) could not establish themselves or find any rhythm.

Paceman Willie Gavera (18) hung around for 34 minutes in a ninthwicket apartnership for 72 runs as Vare clobbered the Dutch attack but the Barramundis keeper was practically rolling the dice on every big shot until he came undone in the 38th over.

The Dutch innings (323/4) was built on a superb unbeaten century by Eric Szwarczynski. The opener hit 129 from 155 balls, while big hitting by keeper Wesley Barresi (56) and Peter Borren (65) ensured a score well in excess of 300.

The win gives the Dutch, who are ranked 12 in International Cricket Council rankings, a boost heading into their final group match against Kenya on Thursday.

There was little to chirp about with PNG’s attack. Leg-spinner Charles Amini Jr was by far the most economical going for four an over (40 from his allotted 10 overs) and picking up the wicket of Barresi, who had put together a 116- run second wicket partnership with Szwarczynski. The rest of PNG’s bowlers struggled to keep their economy rates below five an over.

Gavera (2-49 off 8 overs), Raymond Haoda Jr (0-77 off 9), Pipi Raho (1-55 off 10), Chris Amini (0- 46 off 6) and Mahuru Dai (0-47 off 7) could not stem the flow of runs despite trying hard all day.

The Barramundis play Namibia on Thursday and must win in order to make the Super Six stage (top three of Group B) of the qualifiers and get K1 million annually of ICC development funding.

Namibia, who lead the group, can secure a playoff berth with a win over Uganda tomorrow at Mt Maunganui in their third match before facing PNG.

Kenya still have a slim chance of advancing provided they beat the Dutch and the Barramundis lose badly to Namibia.

Netherlands v Papua New Guinea Scorecard: Netherlands won by 130 runs Played at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Sun, Jan 19 Netherlands innings SJ Myburgh b Gavera 26 ES Szwarczynski not out 129W Barresi† c Siaka b Raho 56 PW Borren* lbw b CJA Amini 65 M Bukhari c Haoda b Gavera 25 BN Cooper not out 5 Extras: (b 1, lb 8, w 5, nb 3) 17 

Total: (6.46 runs per over) 323 Did not bat: DLS van Bunge, PM Seelaar, MAA Jamil, MJG Rippon, PA van Meekeren Fall of wickets: 1-36 (Myburgh, 6.3 ov), 2-152 (Barresi, 30.2 ov), 3-248 (Borren, 41.4 ov), 4-306 (Mudassar Bukhari, 48.1 ov) Bowling: (overs–maidens–runs–wickets) WT Gavera 8 1 49 2; RC Haoda 9 0 77 0; P Raho 10 0 55 1; CR Amini 6 0 46 0; CJA Amini 10 0 40 1; MD Dai 7 0 47 0 Papua New Guinea innings TP Ura b M Bukhari 5 L Siaka c van Bunge b van Meekeren 14 A Vala c †Barresi b M Bukhari 0 CR Amini* c †Barresi b M Bukhari 9 GO Jones c sub (T Gruijters) b Rippon 6 MD Dai c Jamil b Seelaar 15 CJA Amini c Szwarczynski b Seelaar 13 JNT Vare† b Jamil 96 P Raho lbw b Borren 9 WT Gavera run out (†Barresi) 18 RC Haoda not out 0

Extras: (lb 6, w 2) 8 Total: (37.2 overs; 5.16 runs per over) 193

Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Siaka, 3.3 ov), 2-17 (Vala, 4.3 ov), 3-29 (CR Amini, 8.4 ov), 4-30 (Ura, 10.1 ov), 5-48 (Dai, 14.6 ov), 6-57 (Jones, 17.5 ov), 7-73 (CJA Amini, 20.5 ov),8-113 (Raho, 26.1 ov), 9-185 (Gavera, 36.3 ov), 10-193 (Vare, 37.2 ov)

Bowling: (overs–maidens–runs–wickets) Mudassar Bukhari 9 3 15 3; PA van Meekeren 10 0 54 1; PM Seelaar 8 0 51 2; PW Borren 3 1 19 1; MJG Rippon 3 0 21 1; MAA Jamil 4.2 0 27 1

Other results: Jan 17 (Group B) – Kenya 186/8 lost to Namibia 187/4 by two wickets; Group A) – Canada 171 lost to Hong Kong 173/1 by nine wickets; Jan 19 (Group A) – Scotland 265/6 beat UAE 212 by 53 runs; (Group B) – Kenya 253/5 beat Uganda 206/8 by 47 runs; (Group A) – Nepal 151 lost to Hong Kong 154 by 10 wickets.

Standings: Group A – Hong Kong 6 (+1.649), UAE 4 (+1.008), Scotland 4 (+0.984), Nepal 0 (-1.890), Canada 0 (-2.323); Group B – Namibia 4 (+0.972), Netherlands 4 (+0.930), PNG 4 (+0.494), Kenya 2 (+0.048), Uganda 0 (-2.214).