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USA recovered from a poor start to post 251 in 50 overs, the highest total so far in the competition, on Friday, 13 September. Multiple rain interruptions meant Papua New Guinea had their target adjusted to 165 from 23 overs. They fell a little short, finishing on 159/6, as the home side won by five runs (DLS method).

Batting first, USA lost three wickets by the ninth over to be 45/3. Monank Patel (35) and Aaron Jones (77) then set up a good partnership, before Gore (31) and Elmore Hutshinson (42*) gave them a boost.

Coming back just after a rain interruption, 37-year-old Elmore Hutchinson slammed 24 runs off of the last over to finish his 21-ball effort.

Heavy rain in Florida at the innings break delayed the chase. PNG, desperate to get their first win in the competition, were originally given a target of 177 runs in 25 overs and they looked to play aggressively. They took their chances and ran hard.

After Tony Ura's run-out in the second over, captain Assad Vala (46) and Charles Amini (55) built up a strong partnership. Nisarg Patel got the breakthrough with Vala's wicket.

The match came down to the last over, when Rusty Theron, the former South Africa bowler, secured USA's win with the big wicket of the set Amini. Jason Kila (8) and Alei Noa (5) fought hard, but fell short.

Player of the Match, USA's Jones said: "Today was a very special day for USA Cricket because it's the first time playing an international game on the home soil. We won the toss, which was good for us. But batting wise, we started off shaky and lost early wickets. I told myself I have to bat through. The wicket was a bit slow but I know once I got in I would be able to score runs today, I was confident batting in the nets and I just tried to execute that and I came out on top."

The tri-series also features Namibia, who will be playing their first match on 17 September against USA. The teams will all play each other twice.