Honours were shared in the Isuzu Barras Bash at Amini Park on Monday with the Legends getting the points in the first game and then the Board XI exacting revenge in a very tight game in the afternoon.
After winning the toss in the early game the Legends elected to bat with Simon Atai moving up the order to open with Tony Ura. After a solid opening partnership of 39 both batsmen fell to Hiri Hiri, Atai for 22 and Ura on 11. CJ Amini (20) Siaka(10) and Ravu not out 15 all got starts but the other batsmen didn’t trouble the scorers too much with the Legends finishing on what seemed an under par score of 7/127.
Gaudi Toka was excellent with the ball taking 4/18 (4) with Hiri Hiri they accounted for the opening 6 wickets, Diho, bowling Vare for the other.
The Board XI got off to a quick start with Gaudi Toka dominating the opening bowlers compiling 46 (32) runs in an opening partnership of 54, hitting six fours and two sixes. He was threatening to end the game quite early before Michael Charlie struck. The Legends bowlers then took control, in particular CJ Amini, who took 4/25 and Sese Bau 2/21 as the Board XI batsmen struggled to get going. They were eventually bowled out in the 17th over for 105 in what turned out to be a surprise 22 run win result for the Legends.
The second game was a more high scoring affair that went down to the last over. The Legends again batted first and after losing both openers rather early it was the experienced pair of Lega Siaka 60 (36) and Sese Bau 35 (36) who put together a brilliant 87 run partnership. This laid the platform for a good score and with Riley Hekure adding 27 (20) they had a very competitive total of 7/156. Jason Kila took the bowling honours with 3/30 and young Sema Kamea, who bowled both openers, 2/9 off his 2 overs.
Norman Vanua was amongst the runs in the chase with an at times patient innings but laced with three sixes before he was run out on 38. Assad Vala as usual controlled the innings and with some fireworks at the other end from Doriga 24 (11) the game was looking safe for the Board XI. Vala fell for 42 (34) to bring life back into the Legends defence. Hhowever, Jason Kila played well to steer his team home with five balls to spare finishing on 31 not out to see out the five wicket win.
Coach Sandri praised some individuals after a good days play “ The cricket was good today, particularly the afternoon match. I thought Jason Kila was good, Norman Vanua was amongst the runs again and young Sema Kamea bowled well. The Isuzu series is tracking well, what we want to see is our best batsmen and best bowlers testing each other out, so the preparation benefits are there for the T20 World Cup”.
The Isuzu T20 Bash continues Friday with the Lewas playing in the morning and the Barras in the afternoon match. All games are live streamed and can be viewed at www.matchcentre.cricketpng.org .pg