PNG crush Japan, Samoa scrape home against Vanuatu

A resurgent PNG Lewas have crushed home team Japan by 92 runs at the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 – East Asia-Pacific Qualifier 2017 while Samoa have scraped home against the ever-improving Vanuatu.

PNG got off to a flyer after Japan sent them in racing to 35 after just five overs as player of the match Sibona Jimmy (30 off 31 balls) and Tanya Ruma (33 off 33 balls) put on 64 runs for the first wicket.

Konio Oala wasted no time during her innings of 28, hitting the runs off just 15 balls including four boundaries and one six.

Even a flurry of wickets could not slow PNG down with number six Brenda Tau (28 not out off 22 balls) showing that PNG bat well down the order.

For Japan Etsuko Kobayashi (17 off 12 balls) and Miho Kanno (11 off 19 balls) were the only batters to reach double figures.

Jimmy did the damage with ball as well for PNG taking 4 for 13 from just three overs and ensuring PNG got the boost their run rate needed.

Samoa were hoping for as big a win in their afternoon match against Vanuatu but some tight bowling from Vanuatu made Samoa work hard for their win.

It was a game for the bowlers from both sides with Samoa bowling Vanuatu out for just 46.

Lagi Otila Telea took the tournament’s first five wicket haul (5 for 14 off 4 overs) and picked up her third player of the match award for the tournament.

For Vanuatu Melissa Velvel Fare (2 for 4 off 4 overs) was the standout with the ball, picking up two important wickets and going for just four runs from her four overs.

In the end, Samoa got home with more than three overs remaining to get the points and remain on top of the table heading into the final’s day play.

As the tournament draws to a close, the result hinges on the outcome of the match between Samoa and Papua New Guinea tomorrow morning.

PNG’s superior run rate has put them back in the running but still needing to win to draw equal with Samoa on points while a win would see Samoa go through undefeated and progress to the next stage of qualification for the first time ever.

The 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 – East Asia-Pacific Qualifier 2017 is taking place in Sano, Japan from April 28 to May 5 and will feature teams from Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.

The top team will qualify for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier to be held in later 2017 or early 2018.

Summary Score
PNG 6/155 (20) Ruma 33, Jimmy 30, Tau 28*, Oala 28, Umetani 2/7 (1) defeated Japan 63 (13.2) Kobayashi 17, Jimmy 4/13 (3) by 92 runs

Vanuatu 46 (17.3) Solman 15, Telea 5/14 (4), Tato 2/7 (4) defeated by Samoa 6/47 (16.5) Uliao 16*, Velvel Fare 2/4 (4), L Chilia 2/13 (4) by 4 wickets

Points Table