Cricket PNG (Papua New Guinea) have commenced the National One-day Cup domestic competition (Sponsored by ISUZU/Boroko Motors) for the senior Men’s squad (Barramundis) and other national hopefuls to start preparations for their maiden appearance in the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021.
The players have been selected to represent three teams in the competition, namely Isuzu Black, Isuzu Yellow and Isuzu Red. The tournament’s first game was played on 06th June 2021, as the originally scheduled games on 04th and 05th were postponed due to Moresby North West bi-elections and overnight rains.
Tournament Director, Rodney Maha said in the official press release “It is great to see the boys back playing competitive cricket. There is a chance some players may have been a bit rusty and with the wet weather of late the pitch would play a part in the beginning of the competition.”
The first round of games in the tournament has brought up exiting new names like Daure Lohia and Malcolm Aporo, who was noticed by Rodney Maha during the CPNG talent identification program.
PNG Head Coach Carl Sandri said in the press release “The boys haven’t played for a long period, the games have been low scores but the important thing is they’re playing again, getting the competitive juices flowing and that muscle memory back in game situations.”
“We must manage player loads and expectations early in the competition and I’m comfortable with the results. Round one of the Isuzu Cup has been great, game pressure has been applied, and it’s great to see some of the younger players have handled that well. The Isuzu Cup is exactly what Cricket PNG needed, we are greatful the competition was allowed to be played and of course extremely thankful for our sponsor, Boroko Motors.”
2021 Isuzu National One-Day Cup Brief Scores
Match#1: Isuzu Yellow 141 all out in 40 overs (Norman Vanua 36, Bobby Diho 28, Colin Amini 21, Kieth Griffin 19, Nosaina Pokana 2/11, Boge Arua 2/21, Lega Siaka 2/25, Eddie Alewa 2/35) lost to Isuzu Black 142/8 in 28.1 overs (Lega Siaka 51, Gaudi Toka 49, Sese Bau 4/35, Jason Kila 4/35) by 2 wickets
Match#2: Isuzu Yellow 151 all out in 40.4 overs (Sese Bau 62, Riley Hekure 32, Norman Vanua 20, Daure Lohia 4/34) beat Isuzu Red 120 all out in 18.3 overs (Tony Ura 62, Jason Kila 3/11, Sese Bau 3/16) by 31 runs
Match#3: Isuzu Red 171 all out in 41.4 overs (Hiri Hiri 39 n.o, Tony Ura 38, Charles Amini Jr 24, Nosaina Pokana 3/11, Eddie Alewa 2/27, Lega Siaka 1/32) lost to Isuzu Black 172/9 in 39.2 overs (Lega Siaka 82, Malcolm Aporo 30, Simon Atai 18, Daure Lohia 4/36) by 1 wicket
