Historic cricket win as PNG defeats Netherlands in a thriller

INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL

PAPUA New Guinea has created history by winning its maiden first-class match – a memorable five-wicket victory over Netherlands – in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

PNG, resuming on a tenuous 66 for 2, rode on an Assad Vala century and a half-century from Mahuru Dai to chase down the 305-run target Netherlands had set.

The day began with PNG needing 239 runs, and though it lost Vani Morea and Charles Amini early, Vala and Dai defied the Netherlands bowlers to take the visitor closer to the target.

Vala was cautious and focused on consolidation during the partnership. The pair had added 200 runs for the fifth wicket and looked set to take PNG to victory when Michael Rippon trapped Dai in front for 91. His 160-ball knock included eight fours and a six.

Vala then teamed up with Jack Vare, the PNG captain, to wrap up the innings with an unbroken 23-run stand. Vala’s 200-ball 124 was studded with 13 boundaries.

Earlier, Netherlands had scored 209 in its first innings and then bowled PNG out for a paltry 128 before adding another 223 in its second innings.

PNG, playing the ICC Intercontinental Cup for the first time, is now third on the table, while Netherlands, in its seventh appearance in the tournament, is sixth. Ireland and Namibia lead the table.

The winner will play the tenth-ranked side on the ICC test team rankings. If the team wins the series, to be played on a home-and-away basis, it will become the eleventh Test nation.

Comments

[John Kaupa Kamasua]

Lindsay - This is no longer the case now. I have communicated with our IT team here on the value of the PNG Attitude blog and its connection to the Crocodile Prize.

They were not targeting PNG Attitude per se. In fact it is deemed as a valuable site is right back on.

The fact that I am communicating this way is testament to that.

[Lindsay F Bond]

Maybe PNG Attitude will include an item expanding on the tweet that alleges:"Seems Uni of PNG has block on PNG Attitude blog & Crocodile Prize website."

From an ICC webpage at:
http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2015/media-releases/88282/png-captain-proud-dutch-skipper-disappointed

The report relates the words from (cricket) PNG captain Jack Vare-Kevere, as saying: “The lessons we’ve learnt in playing the longer version of the game are huge. Our players showed a lot of character.. We are still learning and we'll continue to develop in all forms of the game at the international level. We want to achieve a lot more."

I offer the following:

Contrast contact contract
Cricket PNG engages Netherlands gamely
Campus PNG embraces nether, banns lamely
__________

PNG Attitude is investigating the blocking of its website and emails at the University of Papua New Guinea. We do know that a number of staff have organised work-arounds. Most students, however, do not have that capability - KJ

[John Kaupa Kamasua]

Go PNG!!