All-round PNG clinches six-wicket win over Namibia

Papua New Guinea comfortably defeated Namibia by six wickets in the second match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) Round 4 match at Amini Park on Sunday (October 23).

After winning the toss again, Sarel Burger, the Namibian Captain, had no hesitation in batting again on an overcast day in Port Moresby. Unfortunately for the visitors, opener Zane Green was run out on the first ball of the day, trying to come back for a third run.

Jean P Kotze (18) then joined Stephan Baard (54) to put on 42 runs for the second wicket before Vala bowled Kotze off his first ball. Then tight bowling and great fielding by PNG restricted Namibia, losing regular wickets to eventually be bowled out for 212 off the last ball of the innings.

Nicholas Scholts was the rock in the Namibian innings hitting an unbeaten 61 off just 88 balls, while the fast bowling pair of Norman Vanua (3/38) and Willie Gavera (3/39) picked up three (3) wickets each for PNG.

In reply, PNG got off to a steady start, with openers Tony Ura (27) and Vani Vagi Morea (67) adding 36 runs before Ura was run-out. Lega Siaka (9) came and went, before Vala (55) and Morea steadied the innings to take the match away from the visitors, putting on a hundred run partnership for the third wicket.

Then the stars from Friday’s encounter, Sese Bau (40* off 46 balls) and Dogodo Bau (7* off 10 balls) guided the home side to the winning target of 213 with two overs remaining.

This victory propelled PNG to equal top of the ICC WCLC Points table with Netherlands with three more rounds to go. Both PNG and Netherlands are currently on 12 points.