PNG qualifies for ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017
In the three-team double-league tournament, which ran from July 15-22 at the Faleata Oval No 1, Apla, PNG finished as the only undefeated side, while host Samoa finished runner-up with two wins and Japan remained winless.
PNG has joined Scotland (qualifier from Europe region) and Zimbabwe (qualifier from Africa region) as the regional qualifiers, while the Asia Region Qualifier will be played from October 7-17 in Hong Kong. Apart from the host side, China, Thailand and Nepal will feature in the tournament, which will be played in a double-league format.
With Bangladesh and Ireland already granted direct spots in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017, whose details will be announced in due course, the 10-team tally will be completed following the conclusion of the ICC Women’s Championship as the bottom four sides will get a second change to qualify for the biggest prize in women’s event, which will be staged in England from June 26 to July 23, 2017.
In the EAP Region Qualifier, PNG was in sparkling form, defeating Japan (by 26 runs and eight wickets) and Samoa (by six and three wickets). Pauke Siaka was PNG’s most successful batter with 109 runs, followed by Konio Oala, who contributed 79 runs with the bat, including 52 not out against Japan in the second match of the tournament. Veru Frank and Sibona Jimmy shared bowling honours by equally sharing 16 wickets between them. They were followed by Ravina Oa (seven) and Marini Tom (six).
In the Europe Region Qualifier, which was played in Essex from July 12-15, Scotland completed a 3-0 win over the Netherlands. Scotland won the final match by eight wickets after winning the previous two by DLS method with margins of 27 runs and eight runs.
For Scotland, 18-year-old Kathryn Bryce was the leading run-getter with 144 runs, while 16-year-old Sarah Bryce scored 109 runs. Scotland’s 18-year-old Kirstie Gordon was the pick of the bowlers, when she finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with Netherlands’ Heather Siegers (four).
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.