PNG Lewas, Samoa take first match points in Japan

 The sun was shining in Sano as the 2014 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Women’s Trophy kicked off yesterday at Tanuma High School and the Sano Cricket Ground.

PNG and Samoa registered round one victories over Vanuatu and the Cook Islands respectively. In the friendly match Japan were too strong for Cricket Without Borders.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, PNG started strong against Vanuatu at Sano 3.

The left-hand right-hand opening combination of Mebo Ipi and Sibona Jimmy proved to be successful as they put on 33 runs before the fall of the first wicket in the fifth over.

However Vanuatu pulled it back, removing both opening bats in consecutive overs before the end of the power play. Jimmy was bowled by Selina Solman, then Ipi soon followed.

PNG returned fire with a strong partnership from Pauke Siaka and Varoi Morea, before Siaka was caught behind off the bowling of Becky Mete in the 15th over. 

With a flurry of wickets and runs in the last five overs of the innings, PNG finished with a score of 110 for 7 in their 20 overs.  “The girls did well, we lost two early wickets but we recovered later and to have 110 on the board was a very good recovery”, said Amini.

Things were not as simple for Vanuatu who were bowled out by PNG for just 43 runs in the 16th over.