PNG holds on for a draw

Papua New Guinea's Intercontinental Cup match against Scotland ended in a draw after four days of big scoring at the Amini Park, Port Moresby. No result meant that Scotland remained the only team to not win a single match in the tournament.

Scotland reached a record first innings total of 514 on the final day, with Mark Watt finishing 81 not out, after PNG had posted 404 in its first innings. Having conceded a 110-run lead, the host reached 263 for 3 by the end of the fourth day.

Resuming the day with a 78-run lead, Watt added 20 runs to his overnight score before losing Chris Sole, this ending their 65-run last-wicket stand.

PNG's top order started well with Tony Ura (75), Lega Siaka (83) and Assad Vala (61), the skipper, taking the side to 263 for 3 before the match ended in a draw.

Batting first, PNG posted 285 for 7 on the first day, courtesy half-centuries from Vani Morea and Sese Bau. But major contributions then came from the rest of the batsmen, as they amassed an additional 281 runs. The host was bowled out for 404 runs on the second day.

In reply to PNG's first innings total, Scotland had a decent start. George Munsey(53) and Coetzer(24) shared a 64-run opening stand. The latter became the first wicket to fall off Mahuru Dai, who later trapped Calum MacLeod, the No.3 batsman, who fell a run short of his half-century, leg before wicket.

Resuming Day 3, with a deficit of 215 runs, Richie Berrington batted brilliantly. The right-arm batsman top scored with a career-best knock of 129 runs off 297, before being stumped by Jack Vare, the wicketkeeper.

A fourth draw in six games left Scotland fifth in the eight-team table, with 46 points, just over PNG, who has 43 points.