Following the exciting action from day 1 and 2 from the inaugural PNG Women’s National Cup, there was all to play for in the concluding match with the sides at one win each.
Action from day three started with Isuzu Teal with the bat in hand and the in-form Tanya Ruma once again impressed with another half-century. Ruma finished the tournament with scores of 91*, 105 and 56 which saw her top the tournament’s run tally.
During her innings of 56, Ruma was well supported by Naoni Vare who contributed 31 to the team’s total. However, Isuzu Pink was able to restrict Teal’s scoring whilst picking up regular wickets meaning that Teal was bowled out for 120 after 38 overs. Isuzu Pink bowler Sibona Jimmy recorded the best figures of the first innings as she finished with an impressive 4/12.
Moving into the second innings of the game, despite Teal picking up early wickets, a fightback from the middle order ensured the game came to an exciting conclusion.
Brenda Tau (42), Isabel Toua (25) and Pauke Siaka (24) all impressed, however, there was signs of a twist in the tail as Teal was able to pick up a flurry of wickets. Despite the late wobble, the lower order ensured Isuzu Pink completed the chase with two wickets in hand and eleven overs remaining.
The victory meant that Isuzu Pink won the inaugural PNG Women’s National Cup.
When talking about the match, men’s national head coach Joe Dawes reflected ‘What a game to finish the tournament. The bowlers did the job, and it is great to see that they have really adapted since the first game to really make scoring difficult for the batters. Sibona [Jimmy] was the standout of the bowlers taking four wickets. The standout of the tournament must be Tanya Ruma, today’s half-century took her tournament tally to 252, showing her batting was a class above the rest. These three games in a week have put the players under a lot of physical and mental strain, which should prepare them well for the challenges of 50-over cricket.’
Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell was quoted as stating that ’With one eye on the 50-over ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier, it was good to get some longer form cricket into the players to get their mindsets right. A special mention for Tanya Ruma who had a fantastic tournament, leading the batting with 252 runs including a century in three innings. Finally, on behalf of everyone at Cricket Haus, we would like to thank Boroko Motors for their support in getting this tournament going. The inaugural tournament has been a success, and we look forward to Boroko Motors returning for the second edition of the 40-over Women’s National Cup’.
Following the recent announcement of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup qualification pathway, it is now known that PNG will travel to Samoa to play against the hosts, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines and Vanuatu in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier. The event is scheduled from the 3-8 September 2021. If the Lewas team finish top of the group, they will then book their ticket for the global qualifiers which will take place at some point during 2022.
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