Siaka helps Team Black get a win in Isuzu cricket comp

WITH 51 runs from 36 balls, Team Black’s Lega Siaka helped his side beat Team Yellow by two wickets in the opening match of the Isuzu National Cup at Port Moresby’s Amini Park on Sunday.After two false starts due to the Moresby North-West by-election and overnight rain on Friday, Black won the toss and sent Yellow into bat on a new pitch. Yellow opened with experienced pair in captain Kipling Doriga and fellow Papua New Guinea Barramundi Norman Vanua. But Doriga fell early for one and was quickly followed by his Barras teammates Sese Bau (1) Riley Hekure (4) and Jason Kila (7).Vanua, the mainstay with 36 off 56 balls, put together a valuable partnership with Keith Griffin (19) to steady the ship. Although Yellow received handy contributions from Colin Amini (21), Mavara Hekure (14) and some heavy hitting by Bobby Diho (28), they were all out for 141. In reply, Black — after losing the early wicket of Travis Vuivagi (6) — had Barramundis batsman Gaudi Toka (49 off 65 balls) and Lega Siaka (51 off just 37) put together what proved to be a match-winning partnership. Although Black lost quick wickets in a mini collapse in the middle of the innings, including three ducks, Boge Arua and Michael Charlie, both six not-out, collected the winning runs in 29 overs. Tournament director Rodney Maha, when asked about the opening match, said: “It was great to see the boys back playing competitive cricket, the first game was always going to be interesting. “There was a chance some may have been a bit rusty and with the wet weather of late the pitch would play a part. “Some great performances by Siaka, Bau, Kila and Vanua.“I’m sure you will see the other Barras, who missed out, step up in their next match.”