| Sports |
PNG cricket gears up to face touring
MCC
By MUSARIKE ANANGAI
The three matches between PNG teams and the Marylebone Cricket
Club of England early next month will give selectors a fair idea
on who to select for the Pacific Games.
It would also enable them to select a team for the World Cricket
League tournament in Darwin, Australia, in May.
PNGCB chairman Mick Nades, while announcing PNG’s three teams,
said one of the game’s requirements was for sports to submit the
names of teams at a certain date and these matches will enable
PNGCB to meet that deadline.
The three PNG teams named yesterday included the Patron’s team,
the 20/20 team and the PNG “A” team that will play a match each
against the visitors on March 1, 3 and 4 respectively.
The selections were made by the PNGCB selection committee headed
by Patrick Amini based on statistics.
Four new faces in the PNG team include Kauna Vagi, left handed
batsman Frank Doura, spin bowler Alois Nori and John Haoda.
For the first time in a while two Lae players and one Central
Association player have been included. Lae-based Alfred Amini and
Central’s Stanley Voro have been named in the PNG Patron’s team
while a second Lae player Keimelo Vuivagi will play in the PNG
20/20 team.
Players in all three teams will assemble in Port Moresby this
weekend except for Amini and Vuivagi who will fly over from Lae
early next week.
There will be a team briefing for all selected players at Amini
Park today at 4.30 pm.
Patron’s team: Chris Amini (capt), Assad Vala, Kohu Dai, Arua Uda,
Michael Rawali, Alfred Amini, Kila Pala (v-c), Stanley Voro,
Jonathan Diho, Loa Nou, Jack Ebani and Jacob Mado.
20/20 team: Wala Vala (c), Jamie Brazier (vc), Mahuru Dai, Vani
Vagi Morea, Rarua Ipi, William Harry, Piki Ravusiro, Keimelo
Vuivagi, Api Leka Jr, Maru Hobart and Peter Arua.
PNG team: John Ovia, Kauna Vagi, Assad Vala, Mahuru Dai, Chris
Amini (vc), Frank Doura, Ipi Morea, Rarua Dikana (c), Inoa Baeau,
Hitolo Areni, Alois Nori and John Haoda.
Each match will be officiated by one MCC and one PNG umpire.
The PNG umpires will be Raka Ipi (MCC vs PNG Patrons), Numa Alu (MCC
vs PNG 20/20) and William Maha (MCC vs PNG).
 
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