Australia Under 19 show their class against PNG “A” in Brisbane

Australian Under 19 Cricket Team easily defeated PNG “A” by 199 runs in a 50 Over encounter at Brisbane Grammar School on Wednesday 11th February, 2015.

After a surprise defeat to the young PNG “A” Team the day before, the Australian Under 19 Team bounced back with vengeance, smashing the PNG “A” Team to all parts of the Brisbane Grammar School Oval. Batting first, they posted a massive score of 7/376 off their allotted 50 overs. Sam Harper from Victoria was the main destroyer with the bat, scoring a classy 130 off just 109 balls while Jaron Morgan (89) and Patrick Page (50) who made valuable half-centuries. Once again, Chad Soper was the stand out bowler for the PNG “A” Team, taking 3/69 off his 10 overs.

In reply, the PNG “A” Team struggled to get any momentum in the innings, losing wickets at regular intervals to be eventually bowled out for 177. Vani Vagi Morea held the innings together, scoring a mature 88 runs off 101 balls. Hiri Hiri was the other key contributor with the bat scoring an unbeaten 23 runs. Jonte Pattison was the stand out bowler for the Australian Under 19 Team taking 3/24.

“It was a convincing win by the Australian team. They played very well,” said Cricket PNG Head Coach, Dipak Patel. 

“Their fielders backed up their bowers very well. We had no big partnerships with the bat which was disappointing. Saying that, Vani (Vagi Morea) and Hiri (Hiri) stood up with the bat for us, helping us to post 177,” concluded Patel. 

The Australian Under 19 Squad is currently in camp in Brisbane, preparing for the ICC Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016, under the guidance of former England Test Cricketer, Grame Hick. The Squad featured a number of players who recently competed in the Big Bash League in Australia.

The fourteen (14) man PNG “A” Team was on tour in Brisbane this week, playing against some of the best young cricketers in Australia in both T20 and 50 Over fixtures. The PNG “A” Team consist of players who are in the Junior Development Program and some Barramundi players who are currently in Australia on the Brian Bell Player Scholarship Program.

The Brian Bell Scholarship Program was created in late 2009 to provide a tangible legacy representative of Cricket PNG’s then Patron Sir Brian Bell’s contribution to cricket in PNG. The program is recognized by Cricket Australia, Cricket NZ and the ICC EAP Office. It takes PNG cricketers with potential and develops their cricketing and life skills in premier domestic competitions in Australia and New Zealand.

PNG “A” Squad: Hekure Riley, Kiplin Doriga, Jason Kila, Vagi Vani, Dogodo Bau, Charles Amini, Chris Kent, Hiri Hiri, Chad Soper, Morea Kabua, Alei Nao, Joseph Alla, Nosaina Pokana and Pipi Raho.

Australian Under 19 Squad: Matt Short (Victoria), Jaron Morgan (WA), Jake Carder (WA), Sam Harper (VIC), Patrick Page (SA), Jake Doran (NSW), Sam Heazlett (QLD), Tom Healy (QLD), Jonte Pattison (NSW/ACT), Riley Ayre (ACT/NSW), Jhye Richardson (WA), Henry Thorton (NSW), Guy Walker (VIC), David Grant (SA), Sam Rowley (QLD) and Sam Grimwade (VIC).

Match Summary:

Australian Under 19 Team 7/376 (50) Sam Harper 130 (109), Jaron Morgan 89 (70), Patrick Page 50 (40), Chad Soper 3/69 defeated PNG “A” Cricket Team 10/177 (50) Vani Vagi Morea 88 (101), Hiri Hiri 23* (32), Jonte Pattison 3/24 by 199 runs