Hammers claim T20 Legends Big Bash title

THE Hebou Hammers won the 2012 Pacific MMI/MVIL “Don’t drink and drive” T20 Legends Big Bash title on Sunday.
Australian paceman Merv Hughes was the star with the bat as he helped run down 159 set by Brian Bell.
“Big Merv” top-scored with an unbeaten 37 off 17 balls and included four sixes and a boundary.
Earlier the Bulldogs were sent into bat by Assad Vala and the decision paid off as young Nosaina Pokana did the damage with the new ball-dismissing Ratu Maha and West Indies great Carl Hooper followed by skipper Mahuru Dai to have them reeling at 23/3.
BSP Hearts legend Michael Dighton then bludgeoned a quick-fire 52 off 26 balls to lead the counter-attack. Dighton was caught on the boundary off Pacific MMI Marlins Scott Styris with the score at 93.
Sri Lankan Aravinda de Silva then came to the crease and was immediately in action as he was involved in a mix-up with young Hiri Patana who was run-out for a well made 28.
Things then started to turn pear-shaped for the Bulldogs as they lost two further wickets to leave them floundering 104/7. All seemed lost for the Dogs and a total around 130 looked to be the likely target until a blistering 29-run cameo by Norman Vanua saw him post take the score 159.
With a run rate of 8 runs per over opener Lega Siaka got the run chase off to a superb start hitting 53.
Styris and Graeme Hick looked set for a match-winning partnership before Hooper trapped Hick for 11.
Styris then started to get the crowd going with a couple of big sixes until he was caught in the deep by Dighton off Hooper.
The Hammers looked nailed at 6/109. But the heroics of Big Merv and Willie Gavera snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Gavera took Dighton for 30 in one game-changing over to turn the tide for the sky-blues.

Cricket PNG general manager Greg Campbell thanked the visiting legends and Pacific MMI Insurance & MVIL for their continued support of the event and also promoting the “Don’t Drink & Drive” message. “Without Wayne Dorgan (PMMI managing director) and MVIL, this tournament would not be possible. This is the fourth year running and it gets better every year. I’d also like to thank my Cricket PNG staff for their tireless efforts in successfully running this event. My team have worked long hours to ensure that this tournament runs smoothly and they’ve done it again” Campbell said.