PNG and Vanuatu to play off in Grand Final

Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu will play off in the Grand Final of the 2010 Pepsi ICC EAP U17 Cricket Trophy after comfortable wins in their respective semi-finals this afternoon in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

At Independence Park, Papua New Guinea won the toss and elected to bat with confidence following from their score of 5/316 against Fiji the day prior.

PNG Captain Dogodo Bau played a masterful innings from the very beginning, notching up the first century of the tournament with a brilliant 116 from just 88 balls.

Bau was well supported by Jimmy (54) and Boge (33), helping PNG on their way to an imposing 6/288 from their allotted 35 overs.

In reply, Fiji lost wickets consistently to be dismissed for just 51, with the PNG pace attack again running rampant.

In the other semi-final played at Kazaa Field, Vanuatu comfortably defeated Indonesia to progress to the Grand Final and the chance to take on favorites PNG.

Indonesia won the toss and elected to bat, but their innings never gained much momentum after losing early wickets, including star opener Tadarus, to be precariously placed at 4/30.

Number 6 Wake battled hard against a solid Vanuatu attack to contribute 24, but wickets continued to fall around him, Indonesia dismissed for 113.

Vanuatu began their chase confidently, and while they lost both openers before reaching 50, Captain Callum Blake steadied the ship with a patient 33 supported well by Jamal Ngwango who added an unbeaten 30.

Brief scores:

At Independence Park: PNG 6/288, 35 overs (Bau 116, Jimmy 54, Boge 33) Fiji 51 all-out, 22.2 overs. PNG won by 237 runs.
At Kazaa Field: Indonesia 113 all-out, 29.3 overs (Wake 24, Tari 3/19) Vanuatu 4/115, 19 overs (C.Blake 33, Ngwango 30*) Vanuatu won by 6 wickets.

Tomorrow's fixtures:

Grand Final - PNG v Vanuatu at Kazaa Field
3rd v 4th Playoff - Indonesia v Fiji at Independence Park