Garamuts’ preparation on track

WHILE the loss to the USA in a minor practice game may be seen in some quarters as a disappointing outcome, the PNG Garamuts’ preparation is on track.
The match was also played under practice conditions on a difficult, cold and wet Christchurch day on a small ground.
The match conditions allowed the USA and PNG to play 15 players and bat your best 11.
The approach from both teams for the game yesterday was dramatically different where the USA played all 15 players while PNG opted to rest key players and keep them fresh.
The Garamuts put on an outstanding effort which saw them attacking aggressively, bowling and fielding right to the last ball of the USA innings.
“We did not have our two leading bowlers. We only included John Boge Reva who took 7/34 last time we played USA.
“Instead, we saw Charles Amini put on an outstanding spell taking four wickets with attacking fields off his nine overs and Jason Kila take two wickets.
Timothy Mou broke through for his first international wickets and the energy and passion from the boys was outstanding.
Garamuts batting showed strong evidence that the boys continue to improve as it showed rather than trying to “slog” to the short square boundaries our boys played “straight” and ran between the wickets exceptionally well.
Best with the bat was Lega Tau with 45 runs at No. 6 followed by Kila who made 34 and finally found some form while Tony Ura was out stumped off a leg-side wide for 20.
Coach Andy Bichel said: “It has been good to allow the boys to play in NZ conditions and the experience of playing a Team like England was invaluable experience for the boys.”
“Playing the USA was a lost still positive in that we did not perform as strongly as we wanted, but hopefully, all of our lessons learnt stand us in good stead”.
The boys kicked off on Wednesday morning with a 5.30am training session and recovery before breakfast before the flight to Wellington and a two-hour bus trip to Palmerston North where our pool matches will be played.