PNG Women win opener against Samoa

PNG Women 136-4 (Siaka 53no) beat
Samoa Women 137 (Jimmy 4-24) by six wickets
2016 ICC East-Asia Pacific Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, game one

Papua New Guinea Women beat hosts Samoa Women by six wickets in the opening game of the 2016 ICC East-Asia Pacific Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

PNG captain Pauke Siaka helped them overcome the home side with an unbeaten 53 as they chased down a target of 137 in 34.5 overs.

Samoa had earlier been bowled out for 136, Sibona Jimmy taking four for 24.

After they won the toss and chose to bat first they were going nicely with captain Regina Lili'I (31) and Matile Uliao (20) before losing six wickets for 44 runs to be dismissed in the final over.

PNG were in early trouble themselves at 28 for three and vice-captain Helen Buruka (4 not out) was forced to hurt.

However, Siaka struck 53 not out to ensure that Samoa were unable to repeat their victory in last year's Pacific Games gold medal match, guiding her side home with 15 overs to spare.

She was ably supported by Konio Oala (12) and Veru Kila Frank (28 not out).

PNG take on Japan in tomorrow's match and the tournament winner wins a place in the global qualifier for next year's Women's World Cup.

All three sides play each other twice before the side at the top of the standings progresses to the global qualifier, where they will take on the bottom four sides in the ICC Women's Championship, Bangladesh, Ireland and other winners from regional events.

Scotland became the latest team to book their place ni the global qualifier after beating Netherlands earlier this week in the European qualifier.

© Cricket World 2016