The inaugural PNG Women’s National Cup was a cracker of a contest. The first two days witnessed some exciting cricket and all was at stake on the final day. Both the teams Isuzu Teal and Isuzu Pink, had one win apiece and everything was up for grabs on day three.
Batting first, Isuzu Teal’s Tanya Ruma, who had been in stellar form over the last two days, packed a punch on the final day with a handy 56. During her innings of 56, Ruma found an able ally in Naoni Vare who chipped in with 31 to add to the team’s total. Ruma had scores of 91* and 105 in the first two games. She was the top run-getter of the tournament. Though Ruma and Vare stitched a solid partnership, Isuzu Pink ensured that they were not able to run away with the game. Pink bundled out Teal for 120 in 38 overs. They bowled disciplined lines and lengths and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Isuzu Pink bowler Sibona Jimmy recorded the best figures of the first innings as she finished with an impressive 4-12.
In reply, Isuzu Pink chased down the target with two wickets in hand and 11 overs to spare. Brenda Tau (42), Isabel Toua (25) and Pauke Siaka (24) made some useful contributions. The second innings was full of ups and downs as the Teal did not let loose and made regular in-roads. However, Pink managed to hold on to their nerves and ensured that they clinched the inaugural PNG Women’s National Cup.
Men’s national head coach Joe Dawes said, “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 stated, “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.”
With the recent announcement of having the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup qualification soon, 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.
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ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa has been postponed to February 2023. pic.twitter.com/TE00GexQsI
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) November 19, 2020
The event will be played from September 3 to September 8 next year. If PNG manages to finish at the top of the table, then it will qualify for the global qualifiers, which will be held in 2022.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.