Cricket tourney continues as Mariners take on Cassowaries

THE Curtain Brothers Cricket Papua New Guinea T20 Smash continues with the ODG Mariners taking on Ela Motors Cassowaries at 9am today at Amini Park in Port Moresby.
The Cassowaries then do battle with Hasting Deering Black Bass at 1pm.
In Monday’s opening round, the crowd were entertained by two very close matches with batsmen from either side struggling against the extra swing of the new pink balls on trial.
In the morning game, Black Bass batted first, scoring 4/140 with all batsmen getting starts. Barramundis keeper Kipling Doriga top-scored with 32 and Mahuru Dai recording 29 runs.
Riley Hekure was the pick of the Mariners with 2-20 off his four overs. Barramundis captain Assad Vala top-scored with 51 for the Mariners as they reached the target with three balls to spare and five wickets down.
Vala was supported by Nigani Heni with 49 runs in what proved to be a match-winning partnership.
The Black Bass bowling attack was led by Oala James with 2-16 off his three overs. In the afternoon game, the Cassowaries took on the Mudmen in a rain-affected match.
The Cassowaries batted first and were bowled out in the 20th over for 104. Venau Karaki top-scored with 38 as others struggled with the bowling of Kabua Morea (3-13). Leke Morea and Paul Nigani also picked up two wickets each.
The Mudmen also struggled with the bat with Anthony Vare 4-17 and Nosaina Pokana 3-22 taking regular wickets.
A composed 34 from player-of-the-match Vani Morea and a solid 22 not-out by Morea helped the Mudmen surpass the target in the 17th over.
Free entry into Amini Park to watch the tournament over the next two weeks.