Barras named for Aussie tour

THE Hebou Papua New Guinea Barramundis squad to tour Brisbane and Darwin from Aug to Sept 25 was announced yesterday.
The 15-man squad will be captained by Assad Vala with former Australian test cricketer Jason Gillespie being in-charge of his first assignment as Cricket PNG’s (CPNG’s) consultant coach.
The squad will feature 13 players from the Port Moresby Cricket Association, Chad Soper who is currently based in Sydney, Australia, and Damian Ravu from the Lae Cricket Association.
Cricket PNG chairman of selectors Daniel Faunt was excited at the Barramundis squad.
“The Tour of Queensland and the Northern Territory is designed to prepare us for the crucial matches against Scotland,” Faunt said.
“It will also allow Jason (Gillespie) to get familiar with the players and vice versa both on and off field which is important.”
PNG will play the Australian Indigenous side, Cricket Australia’s national performance programme, Tasmania and Victoria in Brisbane and Maroochydore from Aug 25 to Sept 10, before flying to Darwin where they will play the Northern Territory and a number of South Australian Cricket Association premier league teams.
“We have selected the incumbent Barramundi squad from the tour of the United Arab Emirates as well as included Damian Ravu from Lae who we believe has all the attributes to be a big match player for us,” Faunt said.
“His selection signifies the selectors desire to build out our depth and I am pleased that we have a core group of players whom we consider good enough to play international cricket.
“The selectors are particularly pleased with the outcomes of the Hebou Shield which have not only helped us to identify options for future selection but have also served to assist with our preparations for the Garamuts in Samoa.”
The tour is in preparation for ICC Intercontinental Cup (ICUP)/World Cricket League Championships (WCLC) round six fixture against Scotland which will take place in Port Moresby from Oct 1-8. The Barramundis are currently sitting in fourth place on 40 points in the ICUP standings after five rounds while they are in second place on the WCLC standings on 14 points after five rounds as well.
PNG Barramundis squad: 1. Assad Vala (C), 2. Jack Vare-Kevere, 3. Vani Vagi Morea, 4. Lega Siaka, 5. Tony Ura, 6. Sese Bau, 7. Mahuru Dai, 8. Damian Ravu, 9. John Boge Reva, 10. Alei Nao, 11.  Nosiana Pokana, 12. Willie Gavera, 13. Norman Vanua, 14. Chad Soper, 15. Dogodo Bau.