Barramundis hold practice match on turf wicket.

For the first time, the PNG Barramundis held a practice match on the newly-laid turf wicket at Amini Park.

On Sunday 18 July, the Barramundis held an inter-squad practice match at Amini Park. With the final spots in the starting eleven for the upcoming "Don?t Drink and Drive" series against the Australian Indigenous side up for grabs, the competition was intense as cricket on turf came to Port Moresby.

The pitch, laid three months ago, has been under the daily care of an expert team headed by Joshua Hanrahan, who was excited to see play finally underway. He said: "We have developed a world-class wicket, perfectly crafted for PNG conditions. It was thrilling to see the Barramundis go about their work on turf. The pitch played well and true; and we are all excited to see how the Australians face it this week."

The game itself was an absolute cracker, with some truly remarkable performances from the Barramundi players. Vani Vagi set the top score record for the turf wicket with a blistering 92. He unfortunately fell agonisingly short of his ton when caught leg-before by a rejuvenised Hitolo Areni who is back in the Barramundi team after a two-year absence. Big-hitter Kila Pala made a quick fire 33 and young gun Joel Tom made a blistering 44 in the same innings. Vali Albert, fresh from making 100 in the Kalo Cricket Association grand final last week, took four wickets to stamp his authority as a genuine all-rounder option for the selectors.

At the conclusion of the game, Barramundi captain Rarua Dikana declared the team to be well and truly ready for the Australians: "I can predict quite calmly that we will have a very competitive team for the Don?t Drink and Drive Challenge."

The Don?t Drink and Drive Challenge between the Cricket Australia National Indigenous side and the PNG Barramundis is a four-game series of cracking cricket and exciting entertainment.

It will begin this Friday with a Twenty20 and a 50-over match on Saturday. There will be a second T20 and official opening of Amini Park on Sunday - a huge day with live entertainment and cricketing legend Doug Walters in attendance.

The event concludes with a final 50-over match on Tuesday. Attendance to all matches is free. Amini Park is an alcohol free, family friendly zone.