PNG go down to Northern Districts A
After a disappointing performance yesterday against Auckland A, PNG were out for redemption today against Northern Districts A in their second and final invitational match at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
Despite losing the wicket of Joe Carter for 14, Northern Districts A gained the ascendency early when Anton Devcich and Jono Hickey put on a 101 run partnership before some sharp fielding from Charles Amini had Devcich controversially run out on 99 (97 balls faced including 12 fours and 1 six).
Hickey played well punishing anything loose from the PNG bowlers on his way to 117 that included 9 fours and 3 sixes. Despite losing middle order wickets Northern Districts tail wagged with Jonny Bassett-Graham smashing 21 from 10 deliveries and James Baker 13 from 5 (with 2 sixes) to have Northern Districts finish their 50 overs in a commanding position with 9/343.
Plenty of spirit was shown right until the end by the PNG team with Norman Vanua finishing with figures of 5/76 off his 10 overs.
Keen to do better than yesterday with the bat, PNG started with a flourish of boundaries thanks to the opening combination of Assad Vala and Lega Siaka. However the pair was split up when the dangerous Vala fell for just 12.
This brought captain Chris Amini to the crease who slowed things down in an attempt to build a solid partnership with Siaka. They put on 77 before Amini fell for 19.
Next in was Chris Kent who supported Siaka all the way to a magnificent century that included 6 fours and 3 sixes. 20-year-old Siaka batted with maturity, skill and power dispatching anything short to the boundary. He was unlucky to be run out on 100 when a straight drive from Kent deflected off the bowler into the stumps leaving him short of his ground.
Kent departed shortly after for a well-made 33. Charles Amini and Jason Kila batted out the rest of the innings for 17* and 10* respectively to have PNG finish at 5/221. While this was well short of their target it was a positive way to finish what has been a long tour for the Barramundi's.
After the game Chris Amini spoke very positively of his team efforts against quality New Zealand opposition that included test and first class players saying that the two matches were a huge learning experience.
"We showed a lot more fight today than yesterday," said Amini. "We spoke about that last night so were pleased we showed the PNG spirit today"
Amini also spoke highy of the young Siaka who was promoted to opener for the match against Northern Districts.
"Lega was in the PNG team for the U19 World Cup last year and has been on the cusp of this PNG team (for a while) so for him to have this opportunity today and take it with both hands was fantastic," said Amini.
Amini also stressed that a lot of work is still needed to get his side ready for the World T20 Qualifier in Dubai later this year.
"We're bowling three or four good balls an over but as soon as we bowled something loose it was dispatched. We need to work on our consistency in line and length."
Scores in Brief
At Colin Maiden Park B
Northern Districts A 343-9, 50 overs (J Hickey 117, A Devcich 99, M Santer 39; N Vanua 5-76, P Raho 2-64, Chris Amini 1-38)
Papua New Guinea 221-5, 50 overs (L Seika 100, C Kent 33; T Goodin 1-15, N Kelly 1-36)
Northern Districts A won by 122 runs