Breaking news - Papua New Guinea beat Argentina by 21 runs

Argentina v Papua New Guinea at Corimayo.
Papua New Guinea won by 21 runs
Toss: Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea 127 (33.5 overs) V Morea 39, D Lord 4-33
Argentina 106 (44.4 overs) R Dikana 5-5

 

Dikana repeats his five-wicket heroics as PNG win thriller against Argentina

ICC Media Release

25 January 2009

 

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Rarua Dikana’s remarkable tournament continued as the Papua New Guinea skipper took five wickets for the second consecutive day as he helped his side achieve a brilliant 21-run win over Argentina at the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3.

He recorded outstanding figures of 5-5, leaving him with tournament statistics of 10-19, to help his side top the table with Uganda, who enjoyed a comfortable nine-wicket over Cayman Islands, while Afghanistan got its campaign on track with a tense 13-run win over Hong Kong.

“It is so far, so good for us,” said Dikana. “I am enjoying my time with the ball in this tournament.

“I concentrate on bowling in the right areas and we do a lot of work on this and try and make the batsmen play.”

Vani Vagi Morea was again in good form for Papua New Guinea as his belligerent 39 off 35 balls set a platform for his side to post a large total against Argentina.

But the hosts, who had suffered a heavy defeat to Hong Kong on the opening day of the event, fought back bravely and Diego Lord’s four wickets helped reduce PNG to just 127 all out.

However, Argentina lost regular wickets in reply and Dikana’s dramatic bowling spell left the hosts regretting some poor batting.

Dikana, who took 5-14 in his opening match against Cayman Isands, is looking forward to taking on the challenge of Uganda in Tuesday’s match at Belgrano.

“I think there’s still a long way to go, but two wins out of two games is good,” said Dikana.

“We still have a lot of improvements to make, especially in our batting, and we need to play better against Uganda.”

Afghanistan got its campaign back on track after an excellent 13-run victory over Hong Kong at Belgrano.

But Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan admitted it was another nail biting finish, after partnerships of 62 for Hong Kong’s ninth wicket and 36 for the final wicket put it in touching distance of the Afghanistan total.

“It was a very good game, there were plenty of nerves, but I was very confident in my team and it was a good win for us as it kept alive our hopes in the tournament,” said Kabir.

“I was worried as we didn’t have any of our regular bowlers left and Nabi started bowling medium-pace as it is a short ground and it doesn’t spin and anything could go for six.

“The players have started thinking now and they are adjusting to different situations which makes me proud to be with them and proud to be their coach.”

Afghanistan’s top order, which on Saturday had collapsed to 23-5, showed much greater stability against a disciplined Hong Kong bowling attack, in a repeat of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 Final.

Openers Karim Khan and Shafiqullah Shafaq displayed excellent shot selection in putting on a disciplined opening stand of 72, but when both fell within the space of three balls, Hong Kong managed to get back into the game.

Some excellent spin bowling from Nadeem Ahmed (2-23) and Najeeb Ahmed (2-35) helped contain some solid middle order batting, although nobody could go onto make a really big score, with Mohammad Nabi (40) and Norooz Mangal (35) both getting out when set for a long innings.

Samiullah Shenwari, who yesterday made an excellent half century against Uganda, again looked in good touch and made a valuable 25 off 39 balls to help Afghanistan to 201 all out off 49.5 overs, with Roy Lamsam (3-33) and Irfan Ahmed (3-62) the leading run scorers.

A regular fall of wickets was to prove to be Hong Kong’s problem, with none of the top eight batters getting to 20 as Afghanistan bowled a disciplined line and took advantage of the bouncy Belgrano track.

Some late-order hitting from Moner Ahmed, who scored 49 off 38 balls, including three consecutive sixes off Mohammad Nabi, threatened a dramatic finish to the game, but once Samiullah Shenwari bowled him, Hong Kong’s looked to be over.

But number eleven Nadeem Ahmed, who actually opened the batting in the Division 4 final as a pinch-hitter, scored a remarkable 27 off 18 balls, only to be dismissed by Mohammad Nabi when a top-edged hook was caught on the boundary edge by Mawais Naziri.

“In the end it was a good effort, especially from Moner, as he looked like he was desperate to win the game and it could have gone either way,” said Hong Kong skipper Tabarak Dar.

“He has won us the game at number eight before and we bat all the way down to eleven, so we always have a chance of winning the game.”

A brilliant 81 not out from Roger Mukasa helped Uganda to an easy win over Cayman Islands, achieving its target with 26.4 overs to spare.

Cayman Islands’ miserable form with the bat continued, as it was bowled out cheaply for the second day in a row, making just 104 all out, with Kenneth Kamyuka (3-6) again in the wickets.

In reply, Uganda coasted to victory and again proved why they are one of the favourites to make it to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Monday is a rest day at the tournament, with a full set of fixtures on Tuesday.

Where to get free IT books online

Wantok of http://ittoktok.blogspot.com/ has a very good posting today for all you Wantoks out there who want some free IT  books.

 He recommends three sites that are worth having a look at:

• www.freecomputerbooks.com   
• www.freetechbooks.com
• www.onlinecomputerbooks.com

Please note that some of the books can only be read online, while others can be downloaded in PDF format.

 

 

Spring Festival

The Spring Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese people and is when all family members get together, just like Christmas in the West. All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival. Airports, railway stations and long-distance bus stations are crowded with home returnees.
The Spring Festival falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one.
Strictly speaking, the Spring Festival starts every year in the early days of the 12th lunar month and will last till the mid 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Many customs accompany the Spring Festival. Some are still followed today, but others have weakened.
On the 8th day of the 12th lunar month, many families make laba porridge, a delicious kind of porridge made with glutinous rice, millet, seeds of Job's tears, jujube berries, lotus seeds, beans, longan and gingko.
The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve. At this time, people offer sacrifice to the kitchen god. Now however, most families make delicious food to enjoy themselves.
After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called "Seeing the New Year in".
Store owners are busy then as everybody goes out to purchase necessities for the New Year. Materials not only include edible oil, rice, flour, chicken, duck, fish and meat, but also fruit, candies and kinds of nuts. What's more, various decorations, new clothes and shoes for the children as well as gifts for the elderly, friends and relatives, are all on the list of purchasing.
Before the New Year comes, the people completely clean the indoors and outdoors of their homes as well as their clothes, bedclothes and all their utensils.
Then people begin decorating their clean rooms featuring an atmosphere of rejoicing and festivity. All the door panels will be pasted with Spring Festival couplets, highlighting Chinese calligraphy with black characters on red paper. The content varies from house owners' wishes for a bright future to good luck for the New Year. Also, pictures of the god of doors and wealth will be posted on front doors to ward off evil spirits and welcome peace and abundance.
The Chinese character "fu" (meaning blessing or happiness) is a must. The character put on paper can be pasted normally or upside down, for in Chinese the "reversed fu" is homophonic with "fu comes", both being pronounced as "fudaole." What's more, two big red lanterns can be raised on both sides of the front door. Red paper-cuttings can be seen on window glass and brightly colored New Year paintings with auspicious meanings may be put on the wall.
People attach great importance to Spring Festival Eve. At that time, all family members eat dinner together. The meal is more luxurious than usual. Dishes such as chicken, fish and bean curd cannot be excluded, for in Chinese, their pronunciations, respectively "ji", "yu" and "doufu," mean auspiciousness, abundance and richness. After the dinner, the whole family will sit together, chatting and watching TV. In recent years, the Spring Festival party broadcast on China Central Television Station (CCTV) is essential entertainment for the Chinese both at home and abroad. According to custom, each family will stay up to see the New Year in.
Waking up on New Year, everybody dresses up. First they extend greetings to their parents. Then each child will get money as a New Year gift, wrapped up in red paper. People in northern China will eat jiaozi, or dumplings, for breakfast, as they think "jiaozi" in sound means "bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new". Also, the shape of the dumpling is like gold ingot from ancient China. So people eat them and wish for money and treasure.
Southern Chinese eat niangao (New Year cake made of glutinous rice flour) on this occasion, because as a homophone, niangao means "higher and higher, one year after another." The first five days after the Spring Festival are a good time for relatives, friends, and classmates as well as colleagues to exchange greetings, gifts and chat leisurely.
Burning fireworks was once the most typical custom on the Spring Festival. People thought the spluttering sound could help drive away evil spirits. However, such an activity was completely or partially forbidden in big cities once the government took security, noise and pollution factors into consideration. As a replacement, some buy tapes with firecracker sounds to listen to, some break little balloons to get the sound too, while others buy firecracker handicrafts to hang in the living room.
The lively atmosphere not only fills every household, but permeates to streets and lanes. A series of activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs will be held for days. The Spring Festival then comes to an end when the Lantern Festival is finished.
China has 56 ethnic groups. Minorities celebrate their Spring Festival almost the same day as the Han people, and they have different customs.

Australia Day Message from Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Chris Moraitis

His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

On 26 January every year Australians come together to celebrate what is great about Australia, particularly our diverse society and great way of life. Australia Day is also a day for all Australians, including those living, working or travelling overseas, to reflect on what Australia has achieved, and to think about what kind of nation Australia should become in the future.
221 years after the arrival of the First Fleet on 26 January 1788, Australia Day has evolved to be much more than the marking of the anniversary of British settlement. Today it is a broader day of reflection on the Australian continent’s ancient and continuing Indigenous culture and a celebration of our democratic, free and multicultural society.
We are rightly proud of Australia’s democracy, our diversity, our vibrant cultural life, our Indigenous cultures and our unique landscapes. I am also particularly proud of the way Australia works in our region.

Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea is, by any measure, one of our deepest and most enduring. PNG is a very important friend and neighbour to Australia, and we connect on many different levels.

Our relationship is one of remarkable vitality, born of a shared history and geographical proximity, a mutual desire for strong democratic institutions operating under the role of law, and by our ongoing security, economic, tourism, educational links. We also connect through the strong people-to-people links formed over many decades through family ties, business, education, and on the sporting field.

We enjoy not only a tremendously strong sense of shared history, but an equally strong sense of a shared future. PNG plays an important leadership role in the region, and is well placed to assist our Pacific neighbours.

Last year was particularly positive for relations between our two countries, and I look forward to many more positive developments in the year ahead.

It was in Port Moresby, in March 2008, that Prime Minister Rudd chose to announce the Pacific Partnership for Development program that symbolises the shared sense of commitment that binds Australia and its Pacific neighbours.

The meeting of the Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in Madang in April saw a number of ministers from both countries commit to a range of ambitious policy initiatives.

And PNG was one of four Pacific countries selected to participate in Australia’s Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme announced in August by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke.

Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with PNG in the year ahead to develop common approaches to the range of challenges the region jointly confronts, including climate change, sustainable economic development, and promoting stronger governance.

In what will be his second visit to PNG in less than twelve months, Prime Minister Rudd will return this week to Port Moresby to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders Meeting on Fiji, hosted by Prime Minister Somare.

We also look forward to a number of other high-level visits in both directions, and the 19th Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum, later in the year.

I would like to wish my compatriots a very happy Australia Day 2009.

I also would like to take the opportunity to reaffirm to our PNG friends and colleagues our commitment to working closely with you in the year ahead to ensure an ever deepening positive and productive bilateral relationship.

His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

News flash - Papua New Guinea beat Cayman Islands by six wickets

Papua New Guinea beat the Cayman Islands by 6 wickets

Cayman Islands 121 all out (37.0 overs)

Papua New Guinea 122-4 (20.5 overs)

 

Uganda, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong get off to winning starts

ICC Media Release

24 January 2009

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Uganda was the star performer on the opening day of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 3 after a dramatic 14-run win over Afghanistan.

But Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong also showed that it will be in contention at this tournament with impressive victories over Cayman Islands and Argentina respectively.

Ugandan coach Ebrahim Mohamed was delighted with his side’s performance after it managed to hold off a determined Afghanistan side, who recovered from a terrible start to get within touching distance of victory.

“I am very, very happy that we got a victory on the opening day and it will be tough challenging in the rest of the week,” said Ebrahim.

“I am sure we will only get better and better as the week goes on.”

Uganda, after winning the toss, made a solid start to its innings, with Arthur Kyobe (50) and Roger Mukasa (38) putting on a steady stand of 65 for the opening wicket.

Afghanistan showed good discipline in the field to cope with a powerful and attacking batting line-up, with Frank Nsubuga in particularly destructive mood with an excellent 62, including three sixes.

The pick of the Afghan bowlers was Samiullah Shenwari (3-32), although the usually reliable Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Nabi on the receiving end of some brutal hitting, including 17 off one Nabi over.

Afghanistan got off to a terrible start in reply with dreadful shot selections and some excellent Ugandan bowling, most notably from Man of the Match Kenneth Kamyuka (5-36) seeing it reduced to 23-5 and then 53-6.

But a brilliant 121-run partnership from Rais Ahmadzai (78) and Samiullah Shenwari (52), who combined some excellent hitting with some good placement, putting it within touching distance of a famous victory, until the fall of some late wickets left it 14 runs short of the target.

“We started off well and had a difficult middle period where we gave them too many easy singles which started to build the pressure on us. The more dot balls we bowled the more pressure there was on us at the end,” added the Ugandan coach.

“I am very sad for myself as I thought we were going to win this match at one stage,” said Rais Ahmadzai.

“But we have not lost the tournament and I believe that we can still recover.”

Five wickets for Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Rarua Dikana helped inspire his team to an excellent six-wicket win over Cayman Islands.

And PNG coach Martin Gleeson was pleased by the performance of his side and the manner in which it achieved its victory.

“It was not as easy a win as the scoreboard suggests. It may have looked easy but we had to work pretty hard in getting our wickets and to get ourselves back in the game,” said Gleeson.

“We wanted to get off to a good start and for our skipper to lead the way in the bowling was excellent.”

Cayman Islands, who were inserted into bat after losing the toss, had made a steady start, with Ainsley Hall (30) and Ramon Sealy (17) adding 43 for the opening wicket before Willie Gavera took the opening wicket.

Even at 81-2, the Cayman Islands were on track for a decent total, but the bowling of Dikana (5-14) sparked a dramatic collapse, leaving Pearson Best’s side with a disappointing total of 121 all out.

In reply, Papua New Guinea never looked like chasing a small target would worry the side, with a brilliant 51-ball innings from Vani Vagi Morea (64) the key to an opening stand of 97, as it reached its target with 29.1 overs to spare.

“We are here to play the best cricket we can and Vani plays an attractive style of cricket. I also have to point out that the running between the wickets was outstanding and that gave us a brilliant start,” added Gleeson.

An excellent wicket-keeping display from James Atkinson was the foundation of Hong Kong’s 7-wicket triumph over Argentina.

Atkinson claimed six dismissals as Argentina was dismissed for 107 all out, with Nadeem Ahmed taking three-wickets in an excellent all-round team bowling display.

And Hong Kong reached its target with relative ease with Zain Abbas (34 not out) playing a vital innings, although Argentina did have hope when it reduced the opposition to 30-2.

“It was really important to get off to a good start in this tournament,” said Atkinson, who won the Man of the Match Award.

“It is pleasing to get six dismissals, but it is more important that we got the wickets and recorded a victory.”

In Sunday’s fixtures, Afghanistan face Hong Kong in a repeat of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 Final, Uganda play Cayman Islands and Argentina face Papua New Guinea.

Study backs findings on Polynesian origins

AFP, WELLINGTON

Saturday, Jan 24, 2009

 

The ancestors of today's Polynesians originated in Taiwan around 5,200 years ago, spreading into the Philippines and eastward into the Pacific, according to a study of the region's languages that backs up the findings of other similar studies, the Taipei Times reports.

Scientists at Auckland University used computers to analyze the vocabulary of 400 Austronesian languages from Southeast Asia and the Pacific as part of their research into how the Pacific was settled.

The Austronesian language family is one of the largest in the world, including 1,200 languages spread across the Pacific region, professor Russell Gray said yesterday.

"By studying the basic vocabulary from these languages, such as words for animals, simple verbs, colors and numbers, we can trace how these languages evolved," Gray said.

"The relationships between these languages give us a detailed history of Pacific settlement," Gray said.

The results, published in the latest issue of the journal Science, show how migration from Taiwan paused for long periods.

Before entering the Philippines, the Austronesians paused in Southeast Asia for around a thousand years and then spread across the region from the Philippines to Polynesia in less than a thousand years.

After settling in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, the Austronesians stopped for another thousand years before spreading further into Polynesia and eventually reaching New Zealand, Hawaii and Easter Island.

New Zealand was believed to have been settled by the Maori about 700 to 800 years ago.

Research fellow Simon Greenhill said that the stages of the expansion could be linked with new technology, such as better voyaging canoes.

"Using these new technologies, the Austronesians and Polynesians were able to rapidly spread through the Pacific in one of the greatest human migrations ever," he said.

Other archeological and DNA research has supported the theory that Polynesians are linked to Taiwan's Aborigines.

Hero's welcome for Hudson pilot

The pilot who safely landed a jet in New York's Hudson River has received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Danville, California, BBC reports.

As thousands of people waved US flags and cheered loudly, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger said he and his crew were only doing their jobs.

Officials honoured his family with a ceremony on Danville's town green and presented him with a medal.

He is credited with saving the lives of all 155 passengers earlier this month.

But the celebrated captain gave credit to his crew.

 

'Miracle' on water

 

"Circumstance determined that it was this experienced crew that was scheduled to fly that particular flight on that particular day," he told the 3,000 or so people gathered to welcome him home in the San Francisco suburb.

"But I know I can speak for the entire crew when I tell you we were simply doing the job we were trained to do."

Mr Sullenberger's brief comments were his first since he safely landed the US Airways Airbus A320 on the icy river on 15 January, in what New York Gov David Paterson called "a miracle on the Hudson."

The former US Air Force pilot and air safety consultant was the last to leave the ditched airliner after ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.

 

Wife's tribute

 

Mr Sullenberger's wife, Lorraine, said through tears that she was not surprised by her husband's heroism.

"I have always known him to be an exemplary pilot. I knew what the outcome would be that day because I knew my husband," she said.

"But mostly for me, he's the man that makes my cup of tea every morning," she added.

Mr Sullenberger, 57, was also given the keys to Danville and made an honorary Danville police officer.

His first full comments are expected in an interview with Katie Couric on the CBS show 60 Minutes, scheduled to air on 8 February.