9 Jul 2013

Sport: PNG qualify for 4th straight U19 Cricket World Cup

10:30 am on 9 July 2013

Papua New Guinea have qualified for next year's Under 19 Cricket World Cup despite being given an almighty scare against Vanuatu in Monday's East Asia Pacific final.

Arriving from the bouncy wickets of Darwin, the Garamuts were slow to adjust to conditions on the Sunshine Coast.

An upset appeared on the cards when the defending champs slumped to 56 for 8 before a 33 run partnership for the ninth wicket helped them through to 96 all out.

After a solid beginning Vanuatu's batsmen suffered their own major collapse, capitulating from 43 for 5 to be all out for 47.

The win means Papua New Guinea will represent East Asia Pacific at next year's Under 19 World Cup in Dubai, their fourth straight appearance at the global tournament.

Meanwhile, in the T20 playoff for 3rd place, Fiji beat Samoa by 32 runs.