PNG lose 4th match to Sri Lanka Emerging

PNG recorded their third straight loss to the star studded Sri Lanka emerging side in the 3rd T/20 match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Barramundi's were bowled out for 72 after bowling the Sri Lankan side out for 145 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Sri Lankan Emerging side boasting first class cricketers and three test players in spin bowler Chamara Kapugedara, all rounder Souraj Randiv and batsmen D Perera lead their side to a commanding victory over the young PNG Barramundi outfit.

Earlier the Hebou Barramundi?s bowlers took the challenge up to the SL Emerging side and restricted them to 145 runs in 20 overs. The Barramundi?s kept the test players to minimal scores with Perera dismissed for 5 runs, Kapugedara 17 runs and Randiv scoring only 6 runs.

However, inform first class player Yoshanda Lanka top scored with 51 (off 39 balls) and ensured his side put together a commanding target of 145.

Spinner Charles Amini Jnr was the best bowling for PNG taking 3 wickets for 25.

The PNG batsmen however, had a hard day at the office especially when facing first class opening bowler K Bandara who took 3/5 including the top three Barramundi's batsmen Assad Vala (0), Vani Vagi (0) and Chris Amini (0) in his first two overs.

Jason Kila was the only PNG batsman to offer any resistance with 30 runs of 59 balls as the Barramundi?s could only manage 72 runs with the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs.

PNG coach Peter Anderson remained positive about the result despite his side winning only one of four matches to date against the strong Sri Lankan side.

"The main idea behind this tour was to expose players to the tough sub-continent playing conditions so the players get the opportunity to play against world class cricketers. It is pleasing to see the Sri Lankan Emerging sides are not taking us lightly and putting their best team possible to challenge us. They play cricket with a lot of heart and I?m positive our PNG boys are learning from their opponents to improve their cricket. This is the whole idea of this tour for our players to learn as much as possible and improve their cricket."

"Winning is important and I want us to create a winning culture in the group. But I also understood how tough this trip was going to be from the onset for our players especially coming here and playing against fulltime cricketers who play 3 days a week as professional cricketers all year round. Again I am positive my players have picked up many helpful points to assist them to improve their cricket by end of this tour," said Anderson.

Former cricket great for Sri Lanka and one of the main players to lead Sri Lanka to world glory Aravinda De Silva gave some advice to the Barramundi players after the match.

"Sri Lanka cricket was given test status in 1983 and we could hardly play any other country because we were considered to be a weak side back then. Between 1983 and 1987 we had played less than 5 test matches. However, we trained hard to improve our cricket and we conquered the world 12 years after obtaining test status by winning the world cup in 1996," he said. "You too can do it as I can see similarities for our Sri Lankan team with PNG team in the lead up to us winning the Cricket World Cup in 1996. Learn as much as possible from this tour and go back to your home country as better cricketers and get PNG cricket to world stage which I know is possible," said De Silva.

The PNG Hebou Barramundis will play the second last game in a 50 over match on Tuesday followed by a rest day on Wednesday before playing their last match in a two day match on Friday and Saturday. The Barramundi?s will depart Sri Lanka on the 13th of April and fly home via Singapore.

Summary: Sri Lanka Emerging 9/145 ( 20 overs) defeated Hebou PNG Barramundi?s 8/72 (20 overs).

Batting - Jason Kila 30, John Boge Reva 10

Bowling - Charles Amini 3/25 (4 overs), John Boge Reva 2/19 (3overs), Kabua Vagi 2/21 ( 3overs), Willie Gavera 1/15 (3overs).