Bowlers help PNG build a commanding lead

Norman Vanua, the right-arm seamer, and Lega Siaka, the legspinner, took the lead in giving Papua New Guinea a commanding lead in its ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Namibia at at Amini Park, Port Moresby on Monday (October 17).

The first day had ended with the match in balance, PNG having added 294 runs but lost nine wickets. On the second day, the home team pulled ahead with a decisive lead. Assad Vala, added eight runs to his overnight score to end the innings with a fine 144 not out that pushed PNG’s eventual total to 311 in 98.5 overs, with the last-wicket pair lasting 5.5 overs in the morning.

Vanua (3 for 39) and Siaka (3 for 16) then struck telling blows as Namibia was bowled out for just 146, conceding a lead of 165 runs. In its second innings, PNG was on four without loss, Tony Ura having hit a boundary with Vani Morea yet to open his account.

Namibia lost its first five batsmen for single-digit scores, and it was until Sarel Burger, the captain, came to the middle that it found a batsman resisting the bowlers. Burger stayed unbeaten on 52, but only JJ Smit joined his captain in getting to double figures, hitting 23 from No.9.

The duo’s 52-run stand pushed Namibia past 100, and on either side of that partnership, wickets fell in clumps. Vanua and Chad Soper had opened with a maiden each, and in his second over, Vanua got Stephan Bard before the opener had a run to his name. In the next over, Soper accounted for Pikky Ya France, the No.3 batsman, and at 3 for 2, Namibia was in some trouble.

The situation didn’t ease with Mahuru Dai and Willie Gavera getting among the wickets as Namibia found itself 35 for 5. Nicolaas Scholtz joined Burger and both men stemmed the flow of wickets to some extent, but with Vanua and Dai striking again, Namibia was staring at a sub-100 total with 57 for 7 on the board.

Burger and Smit prevented that, but Siaka then got into the act to mop up the last three wickets for his best first-class figures, as Namibia’s innings ended in just 55.2 overs.

The PNG openers faced only 2.4 overs before stumps were drawn, but with two days still left in the contest, the home team will be eyeing a victory.

For full scorecard of the match, click here.