20 Jul 2016

Sport: PNG Lewas win regional World Cup qualifier

9:12 am on 20 July 2016

Papua New Guinea have beaten Samoa by three wickets to take out the East Asia Pacific Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier with a game to spare.

The hosts opted to bat first in Apia but slumped to be 37 for 5 after 19 overs.

Ravini Oa was the chief destroyer with 3 for 19 from seven overs, including the key wickets of Regina Lili'I and Matile Uliao.

Perelini Mulitalo top-scored with 35 not out before Samoa were eventually dismissed for 95 in the 40th over.

PNG captain Pauke Siaka was removed for just 11 runs as Samoa managed to reduce the Lewas to 69 for 6 in the 25th over.

But she was able to watch on as Konio Oala compiled a patient 15 not out from 41 balls to help the visitors get over the line in the 39th over.

"We're proud of ourselves, for the last few months we have trained hard and we deserved this win," she said.

"I think all the girls are very excited for the global qualifier. We struggled a bit in our batting but in the end we made it and won the game."

Samoa wicket-keeper Lelia Bourne - who won the player of the match award - believed her side was in the match right to the end.

"I just think if we put on more runs, things could have been different. But I still had a lot of belief that we could have done it on the field with 90 or so runs," she said.

"It was a good effort from the girls, we didn't give up. But good on PNG."

Wednesday is a rest day, with PNG and Samoa to face Japan in the final round of matches on Thursday and Friday.

Meanwhile the Japanese, who have lost both qualifying matches to date, were beaten by 78 runs by the Cricket Without Borders selection team in a 40-over practice match.

The Samoa, PNG, Japan and Cricket Without Borders teams pose during the EAP Women's World Cup Qualifier in Apia.

The Samoa, PNG, Japan and Cricket Without Borders teams pose during the EAP Women's World Cup Qualifier in Apia. Photo: ICC East Asia Pacific