Sport: PNG cricketers have the edge at midway point

11:30 am on 3 October 2017

Papua New Guinea have a slight edge at the halfway point in their Intercontinental Cup cricket clash against Scotland in Port Moresby.

Having started day two on 285 for 7, Chad Soper and Norman Vanua both notched half centuries to frustrate the Scottish bowling attack.

PNG added some crucial runs down the order.

PNG added some crucial runs down the order. Photo: Cricket PNG

Damien Ravu also chipped in with 32 runs down the order as the Barramundis were bowled out for 404 at lunch.

In reply, the Scottish batsmen got off to a brilliant start with captain Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey adding 64 for the first wicket, while the tourists reached three figures with only one wicket down.

But PNG made some inroads with Munsey caught behind off the bowling of Soper for 53, Calum Macleod trapped LBW by Mahuru Dai for 49 and Matthew Cross dismissed for 10, as Scotland slumped to 167 for 4, before reaching 189 at stumps.

PNG take on Scotland at Amini Park.

PNG take on Scotland at Amini Park. Photo: Cricket PNG

"It was really good to contribute to the team today. I wanted to fight hard for the boys (with the bat) and didn't want to get out," said Chad Soper, after contributing with both bat and ball.

"It was really good to get some runs out there and take some wickets today.

"I think we did well to get past 300 and then we set goals like getting 10 runs and to get 400 on that wicket was very good.

"Our aim is to take wickets at regular intervals tomorrow and to keep it very simple," concluded Soper.

PNG are currently fourth in the Intercontinental Cup standings, while Scotland are winless in sixth place.