So, the losing teams of today, Ireland and Namibia, will face off against each other in the third place play off. Howver, it will be Netherlands against Papua New Guinea in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers. The match promises to be an exciting one as both of them have won their semifinals in convincing fashion. Join us for the third place play off on Saturday which starts at 1410 Local (0940 GMT). Till then, cheers and take care!
Assad Vala, the Papua New Guinea skipper, starts by saying that they felt that they were 15-20 runs short but credits the bowlers for doing a very good job. Says that they still need to do better and need to work on a couple of aspects like their fielding. Tells that they are not going to be overjoyed and wants the side to win the tournament.
Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibian skipper, says there is nothing much to talk about this game. Adds that they will focus on the third place playoff game now. On the positives from this tournament, the skipper says that emotions were on display when they qualified for the main event in Australia. Adds that this will inspire people back home to pick the game and look up to the players of the national team. Mentions that they are happy to be doing the perfect job.
Man of the Match, Norman Vanua, says that it's tough playing against a side like Namibia. Adds that hitting was hard on this surface. Feels that their bowlers took the pace off the ball to good effect. Mentions that he kept mixing up his lines and lengths in between which made it difficult for the batters to hit him.
Earlier in the day, it was Sese Bau and Charles Amini who slowly and steadily pushed Papua New Guinea to a competitive total. Norman Vanua scored 20 off 13 balls and provided some much needed momentum for PNG. All the main bowlers for Namibia were good and they could not have done much more to restrict the PNG batters.
What can we say about Papua New Guinea? They were absolutely top class with the ball. Nosaina Pokana and Norman Vanua were splendid and they did not offer any loose deliveries. Although Vanua did get a couple of wickets, he bowled 14 dots which was even more remarkable and that kept the pressure on the Namibian batters.
Papua New Guinea have stormed into the finals of the tournament and will face the Netherlands. They were absolutely clinical in defending the total they put on the board and never allowed the Namibian batters to free their arms. Jason Kila struck in the very first over to dismiss Davin for a naught. Kotze played a couple of good looking shots and added 35 runs with Baard. However, Baard could never get going and struggled for timing during his stay at the crease. The run scoring became difficult further as the asking rate kept climbing. Namibia eventually fell short in the end by 18 runs to get knocked out into the playoffs against Ireland.
19.6
6
SIX! Maximum for Namibia but it comes too little too late as PAPUA NEW GUINEA HAVE WON AND THEY PROGRESS TO THE FINAL of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers. Full ball on middle, Smit smashes this over the long on fence.
19.5
1
Green plays this one straight down the ground and the batters take one.
19.4
1lb
Almost a full toss down the leg side, Green looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards cover and the batters take a leg bye.
19.3
1
On middle and off, Green works it towards mid-wicket for a single.
19.3
1wd
Wide! This time just a touch outside the tramline on the off side and wide signalled.
19.2
1
Smit tries to make room and hit it. Vanua is clever enough to follow him. Smit looks to pull but gets a top edge on it and the ball lobs towards fine leg for one.
19.1
1
Yorker wide outside off, Vanua carves this one towards cover for one.
In over# 1
1
0
0
2
2
1
Nosaina Pokana 20/0(4)
18.6
1
100 up for Namibia! Good length ball on the pads, Green pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.
18.5
.
Top class bowling from Pokana. Bowls a slower one now which completely deceives Green as he looks to slog this one.
18.4
.
Short ball on off, Green misses his pull this time.
18.3
2
Green pulls this one towards mid-wicket for another couple.
18.2
2
Another length ball down the leg side, Green pulls this one towards backward square leg. The fielder in the deep fumbles and that allows the batters to take two.
18.1
1
Length ball on the pads, Smit pulls this one towards square leg for one.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
0
0W
Norman Vanua 5/2(3)
17.6
1
Full ball on off, pushed towards long off for a single.
17.5
1
Length ball wide outside off, Green cuts this one towards point for one.
17.4
.
Length ball outside off, Green looks to cut but misses.
17.3
.
Slower one from Vanua, Green flicks this one off his pads towards mid-wicket.
17.2
.
Full toss wide outside off, Green fails to pounce on it and hits it straight to the man at cover.
Zane Green joins Smit out in the middle.
17.1
W
OUT! TIMBER! Corker of a yorker! Perfection from Vanua! Erasmus tries to make room and carve this one towards third man. Vanua bowls a perfect yorker on middle. Erasmus misses and Vanua hits. Looks like the final nail in Namibia's coffin.
Norman Vanua is back. 2-0-3-1 are his numbers so far.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
1
1
2nb
Nosaina Pokana 14/0(3)
16.6
1
Erasmus shuffles across and pushes this full ball on off towards cover for a run. 6 off the over and not what Namibia want.
16.5
.
Length ball on off, Erasmus looks to pull but misses.
16.4
1
Yorker wide outside off, Smit shuffles across and pushes it towards cover for one.
16.3
.
Swing and a miss! Length ball wide outside off, Smit looks to slam it down the ground but misses.
16.2
1
Length ball outside off, cut to point for one.
16.1
1
Not much comes off the free hit as Erasmus looks to slog this one but it goes off the bottom edge towards cover for one.
Free Hit time!
16.1
2nb
No ball! Pokana oversteps! Good length ball on middle and off, pushed back towards mid off for one.
Nosaina Pokana is back into the attack. 2-0-8-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
2
2
0
1
0W
0
Riley Hekure 5/0(0.4)
15.6
2
Length ball outside off, cut towards deep point for one. 45 needed off 24.
15.5
2
Good running! On the pads of Smit, he flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batters spot the opportunity for a second and take on the fielder. The throw is a bit wide of the stumps and the batters get two.
15.4
.
Good length ball on off, Smit looks to turn it towards the leg side but gets a leading edge on that one which goes straight back towards the bowler.
15.3
1
Good length ball on middle and off, Erasmus pushes it towards long on abnd the batters take one. Erasmus is off the mark.
Gerhard Erasmus, the Namibian skipper is in now. While taking the catch, seems like Ravu has injured his hands. Riley Hekure to finish off the remaining four balls of the over.
15.2
W
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Damien Ravu has given an important breakthrough and Doniga can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Good length ball on off, Baard smashes it back towards the bowler. It is travelling at a good pace but also at a good height for Ravu to catch it and Damien holds on. That must have hurt him. Namibia need 50 off 28.
15.1
.
Length ball on off, Baard looks to cut but misses.
Damien Ravu is back into the attack. 1-0-11-0 are his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
0
0W
Norman Vanua 3/1(2)
14.6
1
Dropped? An easy one. Vanua is livid. Good length ball outside off, Baard looks to push it towards the off side but the ball takes the outside edge and goes straight to the keeper but who can't pouch the ball. The ball goes towards short third man for a single. Doriga has dropped a regulation catch. How costly will that be? 50 needed off the final five.
14.5
.
Good length ball on middle, Baard looks to turn it towards the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
14.4
.
Good length ball around off again, Baard looks to flick but the ball takes the inner half towards short mid-wicket.
14.3
1
Around off on a good length again, tapped towards point for a quick run.
14.2
.
Full around off, pushed straight to cover fielder again.
JJ Smit is the next man in.
14.1
W
OUT! Caught! Vanua strikes and the 38-run stand is broken. Full ball outside off, Williams drives it firmly but uppishly and straight to Assad Vala at cover.
Norman Vanua is back to bowl. In his only over so far, he gave away just a run.
In over# 1
2
0
6
1
1lb
1
Assad Vala 13/0(2)
13.6
2
On the pads, flicked towards deep square leg for a quick couple.
13.5
.
Short again, pulled straight to mid-wicket.
13.4
6
SIX! Just over the fielder. Full ball on middle, Baard flicks it to the deep mid-wicket fence where the fielder looks to catch but the ball evades him and goes to the fence.
13.3
1
Full around off, Williams drives it back to the bowler who fumbles and allows a single.
13.2
1lb
Short ball on middle, Baard looks to pull but misses to get hit on the pads. A leg bye taken as the ball rolls towards square leg.
13.1
1
On middle, tucked towards square leg for a single.
In over# 1
2
0
1
0
1
1
Charles Amini 22/1(4)
12.6
2
Full around off and middle, Baard looks to slog sweep but gets a top edge. The ball lands safely towards long off and a couple of runs taken.
12.5
.
Fuller outside off, driven straight to cover.
12.4
1
Short of a length again, punched through mid off for a single.
12.3
.
Short this time and outside off, Williams punches it straight to the cover fielder.
12.2
1
Pitches around middle, Baard reverse sweeps but just a run.
12.1
1
Shortish length ball outside off, guided towards point for a single.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
1
Assad Vala 3/0(1)
11.6
1
Williams punches this shorter one off the back foot towards the mid on region for a single.
11.5
.
Good floated one from Vala on the stumps as he makes Williams defend this one off the back foot.
11.4
.
On the pads, Williams flicks this one towards the man at square leg.
11.3
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
11.2
1
On the pads, Baard flicks this one towards fine leg for one.
11.1
1
Down the leg side, Williams looks to play the paddle sweep and connects nicely. However, the fielder at short fine leg dives and saves three.
Assad Vala, the PNG skipper has brought himself into the attack.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
1
0
Charles Amini 17/1(3)
10.6
1
The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
10.5
1
Tossed up on off, Baard pushes this close to the pitch on the off side and takes a single.
10.4
.
Floated on middle, Baard pushes it back towards the bowler.
10.3
1
On the pads of Williams, he sweeps this one towards square leg for one.
10.2
1
Shortish in length, Baard pulls this one towards deep square leg for one.
10.1
.
The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Jason Kila 14/1(3)
9.6
1
Floated on middle, Baard sweeps this one towards deep square leg for one.
9.5
1
Shorter in length, pushed towards long on off the back foot for a single.
9.4
1
On the pads of Baard, he flicks it towards square leg and takes a run.
9.3
1
Shorter in length this time, Williams punches this one off the back foot towards long off for one.
9.2
1
Again floated on off, Baard pushes this one towards cover for a single.
9.1
1
Floated on off, pushed towards extra cover for a run.
In over# 1
0
0
1
1
0
4
Charles Amini 13/1(2)
8.6
.
Beauty to end the over! Floated on middle and off, Amini brings out the googly. He beats Baard all end's up as the ball sneaks through his bat and the stumps.
8.5
.
The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
8.4
1
Full and floated on off, pushed towards long off for one.
8.3
1
Short in length outside off, cut towards deep point for one.
8.2
.
Baard has driven this one straight back towards the bowler.
8.1
4
FOUR! Reverse swept! Floated on off, Baard brings out the reverse sweep and smashes it through third man for a boundary.
In over# 1
0
1
0
0
1
0
Jason Kila 8/1(2)
7.6
.
The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
7.5
1
Again shortish and on leg, pushed towards long on for one.
7.4
.
Floated on middle and off, pushed back towards the bowler.
7.3
.
Baard tries to sweep that one from outside off but misses to get hit on the pads.
7.2
1
Shortish in length again, punched towards mid off for one.
7.1
.
Shortish in length, Williams punches this one off the back foot back towards the bowler.
Jason Kila is back for his second over. A wicket and 6 from his first over.
In over# 1
1
0W
0
1
1
4
Charles Amini 7/1(1)
6.6
1
Floated on middle and off, Williams pushes this one towards mid off for one.
Craig Williams is the next man in for Namibia.
6.5
W
OUT! LBW! Kotze has been dismissed! A floated and full ball on middle and leg, almost a full toss. Kotze tries to sweep this one but misses to get hit on the pads. It looked plumb in front and the umpire straightaway raises his finger.
6.4
.
Down the leg side, Kotze tries to sweep that one but misses. He is hit on the pads and the ball goes to the keeper.
6.3
1
The batsman plays a sweep shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
6.2
1
Full ball on off, pushed towards mid on for one.
6.1
4
MISFIELD AND FOUR! What has Kila done here! Atrocious fielding. Full ball on off, Kotze gets down on one knee and sweeps this one towards deep backward square leg. Kila there gets down to field the ball but it goes from in between his legs.
Charles Amini is on now.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Norman Vanua 1/0(1)
5.6
1
Full ball on middle and off, pushed towards mid off for a single. Just 1 run off the last over in the Powerplay.
5.5
.
Length ball wide outside off, Kotze looks to cut again but misses this time.
5.4
.
Length ball outside off, Kotze cuts it to the man at point.
5.3
.
Yorker again outside off, Kotze looks to jam it out but this time misses it.
5.2
.
Kotze looks to sweep on this full ball on leg. He misses it and gets hit on the pads. The PNG players appeal but nothing from the umpire.
5.1
.
Yorker on the off side, Kotze jams this one out back towards the bowler.
Norman Vanua to bowl now.
In over# 1
1
0
4
0
0
6
Damien Ravu 11/0(1)
4.6
1
Kotze opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batters have run through for a single.
4.5
.
Another length ball outside off and Kotze is beaten again as he looks to slap this one towards the off side. Looks like he is going for broke.
4.4
4
FOUR! What a shot by Kotze! He is in some form here. Fuller one outside off, Kotze gets down on one knee and lifts this one over the square leg fielder inside the circle for a boundary.
4.3
.
Length ball outside off, Kotze looks to slash at this one but is beaten.
4.2
.
Length ball on off, cut to the man at point.
4.1
6
SIX! Another maximum for Kotze! Short again on the leg side, Kotze goes onto the back foot and pulls this one over the backward square leg fence for a maximum.
Damien Ravu into the attack.
In over# 1
1
2
1
2
1
1
Sese Bau 8/0(1)
3.6
1
On the pads of Kotze, he flicks this one towards the leg side and retains strike.
3.5
2
Full and floated on middle and off, it spins back in. Kotze looks to push it towards the off side but the ball takes the inside edge and goes towards fine leg for a couple.
3.4
1
Floated on middle and off, Baard sweeps this one towards square leg for one.
3.3
2
Short in length again, Baard this time cuts this one towards point for a couple.
3.2
1
Darts one shorter in length, Kotze awkwardly plays this one towards mid on for a single.
3.1
1
On the pads of Baard, he flicks this one towards mid-wicket for one.
Sese Bau to bowl now.
In over# 1
0
6
0
2
0
0
Nosaina Pokana 8/0(2)
2.6
.
Full ball on off, Kotze smashes this one back towards the bowler.
2.5
6
SIX! Brute power! Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Kotze rocks back and smashes this one over the square leg fence for a maximum.
2.4
.
Full ball on middle and off, pushed towards mid on this time.
2.3
2
Huge chance goes begging! Full ball on middle and off, Kotze looks to smash it over the fence at long on. He does not get the perfect connection on it and just about clears Vanua at mid on who is running back. Two runs taken.
2.2
.
Full ball on off, pushed back towards the bowler.
2.1
.
On the pads of Kotze, he flicks it straight to the man at mid-wicket.
In over# 1
1
0
0W
1
4
0
Jason Kila 6/1(1)
1.6
1
Floated on middle and leg, pushed back towards long on for one.
1.5
.
The batsman drives the ball straight down the ground.
JP Kotze comes at no. 3.
1.4
W
OUT! TIMBER! PNG are off and running! An arm ball from Kila has done the trick for Papua New Guinea. This one is darted around off, it is angling in. Davin looks to smash it down the ground but misses the ball completely and it crashes into the stumps. Early blow for Namibia.
1.3
1
Floated on off, pushed towards cover for one.
1.2
4
FOUR! The sweep is on and he has played that. Fuller one around off, Baard lofts this one over the short fine leg fielder for one.
1.1
.
Flighted ball around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Jason Kila to bowl from the other end.
In over# 1
0
1lb
0
0
0
0
Nosaina Pokana 0/0(1)
0.6
.
On middle, Davin looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball goes towards point. A top over from Pokana, a maiden over.
0.5
1lb
Sprays down the leg side this time. Baard looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad. The wicket keeper dives to his left to get hand on the ball. The ball goes wide of short fine leg. A leg bye taken.
0.4
.
On off, Baard defends it out.
0.3
.
Length ball outside off, Baard looks to drive on the up but misses.
0.2
.
Good length ball on middle, Baard blocks it out off the back foot.
0.1
.
Pokana starts with a ball around off, Baard taps it towards cover.
The target for Namibia is 131. Can they chase it down? The PNG players are out in the middle. The two openers for Namibia, Stephan Baard and Nikolaas Davin are out in the middle too. Baard to take the strike. Nosaina Pokana to bowl first up.
Now then, 131 runs and Namibia will storm into the finals of the tournament. If Assad Wala's side wants to play that final against Netherlands, they will have to bowl and field out of their skins. Join us after the break to find out.
On his four run final over, Viljoen says that he tries to bowl cross seam deliveries to get variable bounce. Says that he bowls slower bouncers and cutters in the final overs too. Adds that the surface isn't too bad and they are happy with the total they have to chase.
The Namibian pacers were perfect from the word go. They did not offer freebies to the PNG batters. Viljoen and Smit combined to dismiss the in-form openers early on. Bernard Scholtz and Gerhard Erasmus were superb with their spin bowling too. Skipper Erasmus pulling off that one-handed stunner has to be one of the best moments of the innings. Christi Viljoen bowled a superb last over, giving away just 4 runs. He is down for an interview with H. D. Ackerman.
Earlier, after winning the toss and deciding to bat first, things did not turn the way the PNG skipper would've expected it. They were struck thrice inside the Powerplay. Charles Amini then combined with Sese Bau and added an important 50-run stand.
Sese Bau along with Vanua has made sure that Papua New Guinea have something to defend. The two have added 30 runs in the final four overs.
19.6
.
Beauty to end an awesome over. Yorker wide outside off, Bau looks to carve it towards backward point but misses. Just 4 off the last over and Papua New Guinea finish on 130 runs.
19.5
1
Shorter in length this time, Vanua pulls this one towards mid-wicket for one.
19.4
1
Full ball again on off, Bau lofts this one over mid on for a single.
19.3
.
Full ball on off, Bau gets down on one knee and looks to paddle it over the fine leg fielder but misses. It goes off the bottom edge back towards the bowler.
19.2
1
Short of a length ball on off, Vanua pulls this one towards backward square leg for one.
19.1
1
Full ball on off, Bau drives this one through mid off for one.
In over# 1
2
0
1lb
1
6
1wd
2
JJ Smit 29/2(4)
18.6
2
Full ball on off, Vanua pushes this one beautifully through the covers for one.
18.5
.
Length ball outside off, Vanua goes for the slash on the off side but misses.
18.4
1lb
Pitched around leg, Bau looks to flick this one but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball goes towards finer leg off the pads and the batters take a leg bye.
18.3
1
Length ball on off, Vanua pushes this one off the back foot towards extra cover for one.
18.2
6
Just over and a SIX! Another good length ball wide outside off, Vanua slaps it down the ground. He does not get the whole of it but Vanua has committed himself to the shot. The ball just about clears the man at long on and it goes for a maximum.
18.2
1wd
Wide! Way wide outside off, Vanua looks to get bat on ball but misses. Wided.
18.1
2
Full ball wide outside off, Vanua drags it down the ground towards long on for a couple.
In over# 1
1
4
1
1
0
1
Christi Viljoen 17/1(3)
17.6
1
Short ball on middle, Vanua pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. There is a slight fumble from the fielder but no run taken.
17.5
4
EDGY FOUR! Vanua and PNG won't mind. Good length ball around off, Vanua swings hard but the ball takes the outside edge and goes to the third man fence.
17.4
1
Full ball on middle, driven towards long for a single.
17.3
1
Short of a length ball on middle, Vanus goes for the pull but can't get the shot off the middle of the bat. The ball falls closer to the short third man fielder who could've tried to catch the ball. The bowler is not happy.
17.2
.
Short ball outside off, Vanua pulls but misses to get any bat on ball.
17.1
1
He starts with a full ball outside off, Bau drives it towards long off for a single.
Christi Viljoen to bowl the 18th over of the innings.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
2
0W
JJ Smit 17/2(3)
16.6
1
Short of length ball on middle, Bau goes across the leg side and works it towards short third man for a single.
16.5
1
Around off, Vanua slaps it over the bowler's head for a single. Another mistimed shot from the PNG batter.
16.4
.
Beaten! Good length ball outside off, Vanua drives but misses.
16.3
1
Short ball on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.2
2
Full ball outside off, a couple as Bau drives it wide of mid off.
Norman Vanua is the next batsman in.
16.1
W
OUT! Doriga departs! Full ball outside off, Doriga looks to launch it over the long off fence but finds the fielder in the deep. There was no power in the shot there and Papua New Guinea struggling.
JJ Smit returns. 2-0-12-1, his figures so far.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
6
1
Craig Williams 9/0(1)
15.6
1
Short ball on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
15.5
.
On middle, defended back to the bowler.
15.4
.
Around off, blocked.
15.3
1
Short ball around off, pushed towards short third man for a single.
15.2
6
SIX! WOW! From the middle of the bat. Stand and deliver. Full ball around off, Bau clears his front leg and deposits the ball over the long on fence.
15.1
1
Full ball outside off, pushed towards cover for a run.
Craig Williams to bowl now.
In over# 1
1
6
1
1
0
1
Bernard Scholtz 24/0(4)
14.6
1
Outside off, glanced to short third man for a quick single. 10 runs from the over.
14.5
6
SIX! Massive. Full ball on the pads, Doriga skips down the track and slams it over long on fence.
14.4
1
The batsman dances down the track. The batsmen have run through for a single.
14.3
1
Quick single. Short ball around off, Doriga cuts it towards point and takes off for a run. The point fielder gets to the ball quickly and fires a throw towards the non-striker's end. However, Bau did well to get back in his crease.
14.2
.
Full around off, pushed to the right of the bowler.
14.1
1
Short around off, puhsed towards cover for a run.
In over# 1
0
0
0
0W
1
2
Gerhard Erasmus 22/1(4)
13.6
.
On the pads, Doriga looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads.
13.5
.
On middle, nudged towards square leg.
13.4
.
Full ball on middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket.
Kiplin Doriga is the new man in for PNG.
13.3
W
OUT! Stumped! The skipper strikes! Full ball outside off, Amini is trying to make room by going across the left stump. He misses his slash at the ball and the wicket keeper does the rest. 50-run stand is broken.
13.2
1
Quicker one around off, guided towards short third man for a single.
13.1
2
Full toss outside off, Bau looks to launch it over long off but mistimes it. The ball goes towards long off fielder on multiple bounce. A quick couple taken.
Gerhard Erasmus is back into the attack.
In over# 1
1
1
4
4
1
2
Zhivago Groenewald 13/0(1)
12.6
1
On the pads, flicked for a single through mid-wicket.
12.5
1
Around off, pushed through mid on for a single.
12.4
4
EDGY FOUR! Flighted ball around off, Amini goes back to loft it over long off but gets a thick outside edge. Short third man fielder chases the ball but the ball wins the race to the fence.
12.3
4
FOUR! Innovative this from Amini. Full ball outside off, he gets in position and plays the reverse sweep to perfection.
12.2
1
On middle, eases for a single through mid off.
12.1
2
Starts with a full ball on middle, Bau goes for the sweep but gets it off the top edge. The ball lands safely wide of short fine leg. A couple of runs taken.
Zhivago Groenewald to bowl for the first time in this game.
In over# 1
0
2
1
0
1
2
Gerhard Erasmus 19/0(3)
11.6
.
Beaten! Quicker one outside off, Amini pokes at the ball but misses. The keeper behind too cannot gather the ball cleanly.
11.5
2
Two runs this time. On the pads, Amini flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
11.4
1
Drop and run. Superb running between the wicket. Short around off, punched towards point fielder and a quick single taken.
11.3
.
On middle, pushed back to the bowler.
11.2
1
Full and outside off again with the round arm. Amini drives it through the covers for a single.
11.1
2
Full and around off, driven through cover-point for a couple.
In over# 1
1
0
1
0
1
0
Bernard Scholtz 14/0(3)
10.6
1
Short of a length ball around middle, tucked towards mid on for a single.
Out comes the physio to have a look!
10.5
.
On the helmet! Nicely bowled! Another try to play the reverse sweep, this time from Amini. There is extra bounce, it hits the glove and then onto the helmet. The helmet is off and Amini looks in a little pain.
10.4
1
Flatter and on off, this is pushed towards cover for one.
10.3
.
A huge shout but not give! Out comes the reverse sweep but the ball ends up hitting the glove. The bowler appeals but not given.
10.2
1
Shorter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.
10.1
.
On middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket.
In over# 1
1
1
2
0
2
1
Gerhard Erasmus 13/0(2)
9.6
1
Around middle, worked towards square leg for a single this time. 56 runs and three wickets in the first half of this innings.
9.5
1
Loopy ball around off, tapped towards point with the soft hands and a single stolen.
9.4
2
Short outside off, Bau goes back and guides it between the point and gully fielder. The gully fielder gives the ball a chase and keeps it two.
9.3
.
Full and straight, Bau defends it back to the bowler.
9.2
2
Short and outside off, punched off the back foot towards deep point for a single.
9.1
1
On middle, tucked towards square leg for a single to bring 50 for PNG.
In over# 1
1
1
0
4
0
2
Bernard Scholtz 11/0(2)
8.6
1
Around off, pushed towards long on for a single.
8.5
1
Shortish length, a single through mid-wicket as Bau pulls it.
8.4
.
The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
8.3
4
FOUR! Just short that one. Full ball on middle, Bau slog sweeps it towards deep square leg. The fielder there comes charging in to catch but the ball falls just short and goes to the fence.
8.2
.
Around off, Bau blocks it out.
8.1
2
Short and around off, Amini taps it to deep point for a single. Misfield from the keeper allows an overthrow there.
In over# 1
1
0
0
0
1
4
Gerhard Erasmus 6/0(1)
7.6
1
Full on off, eased for a run through mid off by Amini.
7.5
.
The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and defends it.
7.4
.
Full around off this time, driven straight to the cover fielder.
7.3
.
Short and outside off, pushed straight cover.
7.2
1
Full ball on middle, flicked towards square leg for a single.
7.1
4
FOUR! Welcome to the bowling mr. Skipper. Full ball around off, Amini lofts this over the mid off region and into the fence.
Gerhard Erasmus is into the attack now.
In over# 1
1
0
0
1
0
1
Bernard Scholtz 3/0(1)
6.6
1
Full on middle, driven to long on for a single.
6.5
.
Another ball on middle, flicked straight to the fielder at short mid-wicket.
6.4
.
Full ball on middle, tucked to short mid-wicket.
6.3
1
Outside off, worked through point for a single this time.
6.2
.
Around off, blocked towards point this time.
6.1
1
Starts with a ball on the pads, turned behind square for a single.
Ben Scholtz to bowl now.
In over# 1
1
0W
1
1
2
1
Ben Shikongo 11/1(2)
5.6
1
Outside off on a shortish length, punched through point for a single.
Sese Bau is the new man in.
5.5
W
OUT! Caught! Wicket no. 3 inside the Powerplay. Short ball on middle, Siaka looks to pull but the ball goes straight down the throat of Davin at deep square leg.
5.4
1
Good length delivery on middle, tucked towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
5.3
1
Fuller ball outside off, driven firmly but straight to mid off. A quick run taken.
5.2
2
Short ball on middle, pulled towards deep square leg for a couple. He took off the first run and hence completing the second was never a problem there.
5.1
1
Full on the pads. Amini flicks it fine down the leg side to take a run.
Ben Shikongo returns. 1-0-5-0 so far for him.
In over# 1
1
1
0
1
0
0
JJ Smit 12/1(2)
4.6
1
Shortish length outside off, tapped towards covers for a single by Amini this time.
4.5
1
Outside off on a fuller length, pushed towards cover for a run.
4.4
.
Beaten again. Good length ball outside off, Siaka is rooted to his crease as he looks to drive but misses.
4.3
1
Full around off, pushed for a single towards cover.
4.2
.
Beaten! Superb delivery this one from Smit. Around off, angling into the left-hander. Amini again lunges to block but the ball goes through the gap between bat and pad, but just over the stumps.
4.1
.
Length ball around off, Amini comes forward to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. That could've easily gone onto hit the stumps.
Charles Amini is the new man in.
In over# 1
0W
1
2
0
0
1
Christi Viljoen 9/1(2)
3.6
W
OUT! Caught! Wicket number 2 and it is skipper Vala who departs for five. Length ball on middle, Assad looks to turn it towards mid-wicket but the ball takes the top edge and goes high in the air towards third man. Shikongo gets under the ball and gobbles it comfortably.
3.5
1
Outside off, Siaka taps it towards point and takes a run.
3.4
2
Short of a length ball on middle, Siaka pulls it behind square leg and gets a couple.
3.3
.
Around off, Siaka defends it out.
3.2
.
Around off, Siaka pushes it towards mid-wicket.
3.1
1
Shortish length ball on off, Vala punches it to left of the bowler for a single.
In over# 1
0
1
0W
1
1
6
JJ Smit 9/1(1)
2.6
.
Beaten! Good length ball around off, angles away as Siaka looks to push at it.
2.5
1
Short ball around off, tucked towards square leg for a single.
Lega Siaka is the next batsman in.
2.4
W
OUT! Caught! Catch of the tournament. What a blinder this is from the skipper, Gerhard Erasmus. An absolute one-handed blinder. Full ball on middle and leg, Ura looks to loft it over the mid on fielder but the timing is not right. The ball goes high towards mid on. Erasmus runs behind, he thinks he may not reach there so he throws his right hand and gets the ball to stick.
2.3
1
Another single. A six and a couple of singles on the next two balls. On middle, Assad works it towards the leg side with the soft hands and scampers for a run.
2.2
1
On middle, Ura taps it towards square leg and takes a run.
2.1
6
SIX! Hammered over the long off. A full ball around off, in the slot for Ura. He gets to the pitch of the ball and launches it over the long off region. Clean strike.
JJ Smit comes to bowl as the first change.
In over# 1
0
1wd
1
0
1
1
1
Christi Viljoen 5/0(1)
1.6
.
Around middle and leg, Vala looks to work it down the leg side but gets a leading edge. The ball drops onto the pitch.
1.6
1wd
WIDE! Down the leg side. Assad goes for the pull but misses.
1.5
1
Short ball on middle, Ura pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
1.4
.
Outside off, punched straight to the fielder at point.
1.3
1
Good length ball on the hips, Vala tucks it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single.
1.2
1
Around off this time, tapped towards the cover region and a single taken. There is a run out attempt by the cover fielder at the non-striker's end but he misses. Could've been tight.
1.1
1
Viljoen starts with a poor line down the leg side. Assad pulls but the short fine leg fielder dives and makes a half stop. A single taken but the fielder has saved 3 runs there.
Christi Viljoen to share the new ball from the other end.
In over# 1
0
0
2
0
1wd
2
0
Ben Shikongo 5/0(1)
0.6
.
On off, Ura keeps it out.
0.5
.
Play and a miss! Length ball outside off, Ura throws his bat at the ball but misses.
0.4
2
Full around off, lofted over the bowler for a couple. That did not come from the middle of the bat. Another couple.
0.3
.
Gets the line right this time as dishes this outside off on a good length. Ura pushes it to the point fielder.
0.3
1wd
WIDE! Sprays down the leg side, does Shikongo this time. Ura flicks but misses. Called wide by the umpire.
0.2
2
Short and outside off, Ura punches it over point and picks a couple to get off the mark.
0.1
.
Shikongo starts with a full ball around off, driven straight to the cover fielder.
The players are out in the middle. Tony Ura and Assad Vala, the two openers are out in the middle too. Ben Shikongo to start the proceedings first up for Namibia. Here we go...
PITCH REPORT - The pitch looks to be two-faced. Good length balls can bounce a bit here and there. The batters needs to show some composure while batting. 160 should be a challenging total on this surface.
Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus says that he wanted to bat first as well. Adds that last 3 days have been superb for them. Mentions that everyone in the side needs to stay focused and that's what they are trying to do.
The PNG skipper adds that batting first helps them as they have the chance of putting big total batting first. Adds that the side has got good support from home. Tells that the side wants to win the tournament and finish on the positive note.
Namibia (Playing XI) - Stephan Baard, Nikolaas Davin , JP Kotze, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus (C), Zane Green (W), JJ Smit, Christi Viljoen, Zhivago Groenewald (IN FOR Jan Frylinck), Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo
Papua New Guinea (Playing XI) - Tony Ura, Assad Vala (C), Lega Siaka, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Riley Hekure, Kiplin Doriga (W), Norman Vanua, Jason Kila, Damien Ravu, Nosaina Pokana
TOSS - Papua New Guinea have won the toss and opt to bat first.
Time for the semi-final no. 2. It is Papua New Guinea who are taking on Namibia. Papua New Guinea qualified for the T20 World Cup in Australia by taking the top position after the group stage round, winning 5 off the 6 matches. Namibia, on the other hand, beat Oman in the 2nd Playoff to qualify for the finals and play this second semi-finals of the tournament. Stay with us for Toss update.