Sport: PNG Barramundis win three straight to close Aussie tour

2:57 pm on 25 September 2017

Papua New Guinea have ended their Australian tour in style after making it three straight wins in the SACA Premier League in Darwin.

The Barramundis beat the Southern Force by three wickets on Saturday, in a high-scoring encounter.

Nosiana Pokana and Norman Vanua collected two wickets each as the Force posted 295 for 6 batting first before captain Assad Vala (57) and Sese Bau (75) anchored the PNG run-chase with a century stand for the fourth wicket.

Mahuru Dai (31) and Dogodo Bau (18) made contributions in the middle order before both were dismissed in the 45th over.

But up stepped John Boge Reva (24* off 11 balls) and Norman Vanua (18* off 11 balls), combining for an unbeaten 41 run-partnership in 22 balls to guide the Barramundis to victory with eight balls to spare.

The Barramundis during the SACA League in Darwin.

The Barramundis during the SACA League in Darwin. Photo: Cricket PNG

PNG were even more emphatic on Sunday after thumping the Northern Mavericks by eight wickets.

The Mavericks posted a challenging 256 for 8 batting first, led by an impressive knock of 130 from 136 balls from Sam Millar.

Norman Vanua was the pick of the PNG bowlers taking 3 for 46 off his ten overs, while Chad Soper, Mahuru Dai and John Boge Reva were also among the wickets.

In their favoured chasing role, the Barramundis cruised to their target inside 35 overs.

Tony Ura (88) and Dogodo Bau (40) stacked on 134 runs for the first wicket before Lega Siaka (95*) and Assad Vala (14*) guided the East Asia Pacific's top team to victory.

The PNG team now flies home to Port Moresby to prepare for next month's ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League Championships matches against Scotland.