Thursday 29 July 2010

Queenslander Preston White was again a strong performer for the Australian Indigenous XI, but they were no match for Papua New Guinea in the final 50-over contest of their series in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

The Barramundis made a clean sweep of the four match Twetny20/50-over series, belting 290 and dismissing the Indigenous team for 145.

White, who starred with the bat in Game 3, snared 4-50 with his medium pacers to be the visitors’ best bowler.

Former Queensland pace bowling legend Andy Bichel led the PNG victory charge as head coach.

“To win our first home series 4-0 on our own turf wickets was an outstanding result,” Bichel said. “I think this is the start of something big for cricket in PNG.”

The co-chairman of the National Indigenous Cricket Advisory Council Vince Copley was so impressed by the Barramundis that he wants them included in the annual Imparja Cup competition in Alice Springs.

“I fully support the participation of PNG in the Imparja Cup every year. Our boys need to play at this level more often,” he said.

“It was good of Cricket PNG to invite us to be a part of launching their new turf wickets…I think both sides have benefited from the strong competition.”