The Pacific MMI Insurance and Motor Vehicles Insurance “Don’t Drink and Drive” T20 Legends Bash was played on Saturday 5th and on Sunday 6th December, in front of a Grand Final crowd of over 4,000 people at the Amini Park and Colts Cricket Grounds.

A spectacular weekend of cricket featured Australian Cricket legends Andrew Symonds, Andy Bichel, Greg Blewett, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Michael Kasprowicz and Greg Mathews in each of the six teams.

It was an extremely busy time for the Aussie guests.

Upon arrival in PNG the legends went straight into a media conference at the airport lobby where over 20 journalists and camera crews had set up. They were then whisked away to the EMTV studios for the SportScene Show, which was taped and aired on the same night.

The legends then attended a welcome cocktail party hosted by Bank South Pacific (BSP) at the Lamana Hotel for about 40 VIP guests. This was followed by a relaxing dinner at Ozzies, Ela Beach where Graham Osborne looked after the guys.

On early Friday morning, thanks to Albert Tan, Mick Davis, Stuart Robinson and the members of the Boroko Fishing Club, the Australians were taken to Gully Reach, down the Hiritano Highway were they put their fishing skills to the test aiming for the famous Papuan Black Bass. All these events were taped by Australian Television stations Channel 10 and Fox Sports, which meant the total event had extensive coverage also in Australia. Much to Andrew Symonds disappointment it was Michael Kasprowicz that hooked a Black Bass.

Symonds, Bichel and Kasprowicz also visited Hanuabada and Elevala villages to play some street cricket. Motu Koitabu assembly members were on hand to welcome them when they arrived.

Maher, Blewett and Martyn visited the Gordon International Primary School and conducted a coaching Clinic for more than 300 kids.

Bichel, Symonds and Kaprowicz later visited Ela Murray International Primary School for 200 kids. The legends spent a good part of these trips signing autographs for the young and not so young in attendance. Cricket PNG donated 3 boxes of reading books to the school library.

On Friday night there was the UMW legends of cricket dinner at Palazzo Lamana where guests tucked into a 4 course special menu with a little bit of Greek flavour. The Event was attended by over 120 cricket fans and stakeholders. The seven Australians were the centre of attention and the entertainment as they told their tales, some tall and most true. The night was very successfully hosted by UMW CEO Andrew Cooper who ensured that the extra touches of professionalism and hospitality positioned the event where we would want cricket to be seen in this country. As usual the auction bought about some adventurous bidding and K 21,000.00 was raised.

Each legend played one game in the preliminary pool round on Saturday. Andrew Symonds with (Brian Bell Bulldogs), Greg Blewett and Greg Mathews (Pacific MMI Marlin), Damien Martyn (Hebou Hammer), Andy Bichel (Air Niugini Jets) and Michael Kasprowicz (Bemobile Orange Men) and Jimmy Maher (UMW Thunder). Greg Blewett missed the Saturday action due to sun stroke from the fishing and was suitably replaced by Greg Matthews.

As a pre-cursor to the T20 Final, a six over, eight per side Bishop Brothers Celebrity Cricket match was played featuring some of the best Sportsmen and women in the country.

World rated champion weight lifter Dika Toua, dual international female boxer and rugby union player Debbie Kaore, Kumul rugby league star Benjamin John, PNG Soccer star Andrew Lepani, PNG Pepes netball captain Mona Liza Leka and two of our women’s cricketers Pauke Siaka and Ura Rigana joined PNG Cricket sponsors and company executives Graham Wheatley (Brian Bell and Co), Andrew Cooper (UMW), Chris Raps (Be Mobile) and media personalities Steven Dawanincura, Leslie Omaro, Peter Pusal, Steve Mase and Api Kassman.

The Aussies were all readily available and showed immense patience when approached by kids and fans to sign t-shirts, bats, caps and cricket balls and pose for hundreds of photos.

The Grand Final match played between Hebou Hammers and Pacific MMI Marlins featured all six legends. Symonds, Blewett and Kasprowicz played for the Pacific MMI Marlins while Bichel, Martyn and Maher represented Hebou Hammer after a draft took place live on EMTV before the final commenced.

Hebou Hammers with Damien Martyn at the helm took the game away from the Marlins in a very entertaining final. Martyn scored 92 not out in a very polished innings.

PNG Under-19 Garamuts World Cup squad members Lega Siaka (Hebou Hammer) and Sese Bau (Pacific MMI Marlin) impressed with their batting, however the local player of the series award went to national squad member and UMW Thunder player Kapena Arua who had stood out with his batting and exceptional fielding.

Other local players who performed well included Vali Albert (Pacific MMI Marlin), Inoa Baeau, whose 5 for 9 against Pacific MMI was easily the best bowling performance in the series, Lae strong man Gapi Mogala as well as Billy Maha, Raturima Maha and Central’s wicketkeeper/batsman John Karo.

Under-15 squad members Dogodo Bau, Kabua Morea and bowler Norman Vanua more than held there own against more experienced opponents.

Another positive development and feature of the weekends matches was the selection and participation of players from other centers like Milne Bay, who provided 3 players, Lae (6), Central (10) Capital (12) and Kimbe (3).

For the fist time in the history of broadcasting in PNG a local cricket match was shown in its entirety on free to air TV. EMTV had a 100% local production crew of 25 people on-site with five cameras and used the Cricket PNG “Cricket Haus” as its studio. A local commentary team of Killian Amini, Api Kassman, Jamie Brazier (former PNG National player) and Andrew Lepani (boundary rider) were joined by Greg Matthews.

EMTV considered the coverage of this event to be so significant that it dropped the afternoon session of the 2nd Test (Australia V’s West Indies) from Adelaide to show the T20 Bash live as the lead-up to prime time Sunday evening viewing.

The estimated television audience for the final was between 500,000 and 750,000 many of whom would have been part of a communal viewing group in villages around the country.

Communal viewing is an extremely important aspect of life in Papua New Guinea. It’s origins go back to the very early days of television in the country when sets were scarce and too expensive for the majority of folk.

Communal meeting places such as local village stores, missions, work sites, plantations, clubs, pubs, schools and many other organisations provide viewing services. They are particularly popular in the highlands.

When putting together the Legends T20 Bash coverage it was critical that we had a live radio broadcast to extend the reach to more people.

FM100 kicked off the weekend with a live outside broadcast of their show Komatsu Sports from Amini Park. This show has been an outstanding supporter of Cricket and it was fitting that the Aussie legends should join them for the final program of 2009.

FM100 then backed up the show with ongoing live scores and match updates throughout Saturday and with the Semi-Finals on Sunday morning.

The final was broadcast live by FM100 with commentators Steve Mase and Patrick Patu and former Hoods CC legend and local journalist Numa Alu. Matthews, Blewett and Maher all dropped in during the broadcast as did the Right Honourable Govenor Powes Parkop.

It was a hectic but exciting weekend, described by many as the biggest cricket event since the West Indies toured in 1975/76.

Match Results

Air Niugini Jets 5-99 defeated Brian Bell Bulldogs 10-98
Air Niugin Jets 7-120 defeated UMW Thunder 4-112
UMW Thunder 7-143 defeated Brian Bell Bulldogs 9-130

BeMobile Orange Men 0-33 defeated Pacific MMI Marlin 31
Pacific MMI Marlin 6-142 defeated Hebou Hammer 8-129
Hebou Hammer 6-135 defeated BeMobile Orange Men10-134

Semi-Finals
Hebou Hammer 6-144 defeated UMW Thunder 6-129
Pacific MMI Marlin 7-124 defeated Air Niugini Jets 9-122

Final
Hebou Hammer 5-159 defeated Pacific MMI Marlin 4-158