Siaka blasts big ton

THE Hebou PAPUA Barramundis Barramundis beat Hong Kong in the first match of International 50-over series by 76 runs at Amini Park yesterday thanks to an unbeaten 188 by Lega Siaka.
Siaka claimed the player-of-the-match award for his record-breaking knock 114 balls.
Siaka’s is the highest score by a PNG player in an international match.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, PNG got off to a shaky start, slumping to 34/4 in 12 overs thanks to a great opening spell of bowling from Eshan Nawaz (4-26).
Then Siaka set about dominating the visitors’ attack. The 25-year-old top order batsman hit the ball to all parts of the ground as the small crowd witnessed a special innings from the Hanuabada man.
With support from Charles Amini Jr (33), Jason Kila (27), Chad Soper (27) and paceman Norman Vanua (27), Siaka was able to race past the half century mark and then reach his first international century on home soil.
Siaka ended up, unbeaten on 188 runs off only 114 balls, which included 10 boundaries and 12 sixes to help the Barramundis post a mammoth 341/9 off their allotted 50 overs.
In reply, Hong Kong started off promisingly with openers Mohammad Nizakat Khan (58) and Anshuman Rath (34) putting on 65 runs for the opening wicket in 14 overs before leg spinner Amini dismissed Rath and Raag Kapur (0) in consecutive deliveries.
Waqas Khan (56) and Hamed Khan (26) then put on a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but unfortunately for Hong Kong wickets were falling at regular intervals and they were unable to keep up with the required run-rate, eventually bowled out for 265 in 48.3 overs.
Amini (3-47) and Chad Soper (3-55) were the pick of the Barramundis’ bowlers picking up three wickets each while medium pacer John Boge Reva (2-25) picked up a couple of wickets.
PNG and Hong Kong will battle it out in the second match of the Hebou International 50-Over Series today at Amini Park with the final match to be played on Friday.