PNG Barramundis fall to Aussie

The DIGICEL PNG Barramundis lost their opening match of the Top End Quadrangular Cricket Series against the Australian Indigenous Side by 48 runs yesterday at Gardens Oval, Darwin.

The Indigenous batted first and posted a mammoth 10/290 off 48 overs thanks to a brilliant knock of 99 runs by their captain, Ben Abbatangelo. The Barramunidis didn’t have the best start to the day when opening bowler Pipi Raho left the field after splitting his webbing between his ring and small finger when attempting to stop a hard hit ball off his own bowling. This left the Barramundis with a bower down, meaning Norman Vanua and John Boge Reva took up the responsibility on leading the pace attack. Vanua and Reva were ably supported by the spin attack of Mahuru Dai, Charles Amini, Lega Siaka and Assad Vala who managed to reduce the Australian Indigenous total to 290. Vanua was the pick of the Barramundis bowlers taking a very impressive 5/39 (9.3). Reva (2/46), Dai (1/49), Charles Amini (1/61) and Vani Vagi (1/54) were the other wickers for the Barramunids. In reply, the Barramundis’ got off to their customary quick start with a Assad Vala and Lega Siaka putting on a quick-fire 62 runs off 6 overs before Siaka miss timed a drive to mid-on for 26. Vagi and Vala continued the onslaught with a 32 runs partnership second wicket partnership before Vagi (15) was trapped LBW with the Barramundis at 2/94. Vala (43), Kila Pala (10) and Tony Ura (0) were dismissed shortly after, leaving the Barramundis in a huge hole at 5/122. Captain Chris Amini (39) fought hard along with his deputy Jack Vare (16) but when they were both dismissed, the Barramundis slumped further into trouble at 7/150, still needing a further 140 runs for victory.

Dai (20) and Charles Amini (37) made valuable contributions down the order to push the score past 230 before the Indigenous tightened their bowling and bowled the Barrramundis out for 243. Reva was not out on 11.

"We fought hard in the field and bowled well against good opposition," said a disappointed Barramunids Head Coach, Dipak Patel.

"They batted well but we manage to bowl them out for 290 runs. We were always within reach of the target in our chase as the batsman played positive cricket given the start we had from the top order batsman. However, crucial wickets in the middle order dragged the innings. This is an area where we will be looking to work a little harder in," concluded Patel.

The DIGICEL PNG Barramundis take on the Australian Indigenous Side against this morning in a T20 affair, before taking on an East Asia Pacific (EAP) Select Side in the afternoon match.