Day 1 of EAP tournament produces shock results

Local PNG talent impressed on Day 1 of the "Pacific MMI Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited Don't Drink and Drive T20 Legends Bash" held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea with a good display by emerging players.

With stars such as Andrew Symonds, Damien Martyn, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Jimmy Maher and Greg Blewett taking part, the local crowd was expecting the legends to dominate play. However, the PNG emerging stars showed why it is an up and coming nation in world cricket, with some superb individual and team performances, none more so than Inoa Baeau.

Baeau, a former PNG national squad member, bowled superbly in hot conditions at Amini Park in Round two for the "Bemobile Orange Men", ably supported by former Australian Test bowler Michael Kasprowicz (2-13), to finish with an outstanding five wickets for nine runs from four brilliant overs in the match and to help dismiss Pacific MMI Marlins for a paltry 31 runs.

The Orange Men, with former PNG International Jamie Brazier in an aggressive mood, collected the required 32 runs from just 20 balls.

In other "Pool" matches, Cricket PNG National Director of Coaching Andy Bichel helped the Air Niugini Jets to a comfortable win in Round 2 against UMW Thunder. The Jets reached 120-7 from its 20 overs, Mahuta Kivung with a well made 24.

In reply, the Thunder never quite adjusted to the fast paced T20 format, struggling to score consistently against a tight attack led by Timothy Mou (0-18) and Andy Bichel (1-19) in making 112-4 in reply, falling short by eight runs.

In Round 3, a Greg Matthews-inspired Pacific MMI Marlins defeated Hebou Hammer, despite a superb knock from former Australian Test star Damien Martyn. The Marlins won the toss and elected to bat, with Mahuru Dai and PNG U19 representative Lega Siaka putting on a superb 98-run stand for the first wicket. In 20 overs, the Marlins were able to post an impressive 143-3, with Dai (37) and Siaka (51) the standouts.

Hebou Hammer was confident of chasing the runs down, and started well enough to reach 21 without loss before left arm paceman Jacob Mado made the much needed break-through, bringing Damien Martyn to the crease. Martyn turned back the clock to play with the class and elegance of his international career, and posted a brilliant 45 in quick time before Mado again took the important scalp.

While the Hammer battled valiantly against the Marlins attack, the match was decided in one Greg Matthews over, the veteran taking three wickets in five balls to devastate the Hammer's middle order, with the Hammer eventually being dismissed for 130.

In the final match of the day, the Brian Bell Bulldogs played off against the UMW Thunder, with Andrew Symonds going head-to-head against former Queensland Bulls Captain Jimmy Maher.

UMW won the toss and elected to bat, with Maher and Mogala opening up against ICC EAP representative Pipi Raho and 15-year-old star-in-the-making Kabua Vagi. Maher looked at ease at the crease before being bowled by Raho, and when Nou (3) was also sent back, the Thunder looked in some trouble.

It took a brilliant unbeaten 68 from captain Kapena Arua to eventually drag his team to 143-7 from 20 overs, certainly a competitive score after such a poor start, with Andrew Symonds grabbing 1-29 from his four overs and EAP representative Jeremiah Nigani taking 2-23.

In reply, the Bulldogs began disastrously, losing star opener Jeremiah for just one run, however with Australian superstar Andrew Symonds striding to the crease, the game was far from over. Symonds played a patient hand, before unleashing some trademark drives to get the scoreboard ticking. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Symonds miscued an Ao Mea out-swinger to gift cover fieldsman Charles Amini a catch.

Middle order batsman John Karo gave the Bulldogs some life with a classy 42, including two enormous sixes, but the early loss of wickets eventually caught up with the Brian Bell Bulldogs, finishing their innings at 131-9.

Sunday will see the semi-finals being played. The Hebou Hammer (Damien Martyn) will take on the UMW Thunder (Jimmy Maher) at Colts ground in the first semi-final while the second will see the Air Niugini Jets (Andy Bichel) taking on the Pacific MMI Marlins (Greg Blewett) at Amini Park.

The final will be played at Amini Park following the Bishop Brothers Celebrity match.