PNG Barras name side

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THE Hebou Papua New Guinea Barramundis squad to play Namibia in the International Cricket Council Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League Championships fixtures was announced yesterday.
The 14-man squad will be led by the country’s best batsman Assad Vala for the first time in an ICC-sanctioned series in the absence of Jack Vare, who is unavailable due to a serious knee injury.
Vala becomes the 13th captain to lead the Barramundis since 1975 and only Dogodo Bau has yet to make his debut for the Barramundis.
Selectors’ chairman Daniel Faunt commented on the selection of a strong Barramundis squad: “The guys have had a great preparation against Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia and more recently in the South Australian Cricket Association league,” Faunt said.
“We are heading into the Namibia matches with a solid batting group, who are hitting their straps and encouragingly being better able to adapt their game for the different formats.
“Willie Gavera’s return has added experience and quality into our bowling attack and our fielding as always will be an area where we excel.
“Winning both the ICUP and WCL games will push us up the ladder and we’re confident we have selected a squad who can deliver.”
The ICUP is the ICC’s premier first-class tournament, and is an integral part of the associate members’ cricket schedule.
The side that wins the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2015-17 round-robin league will play the bottom-ranked test team on the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings in the ICC Test Challenge in 2018.  The Barramundis are currently sitting in sixth place on 20 Points, one place ahead of Namibia who are also on 20 points after three rounds of the competition.
The ICC WCLC is an elite 50-over competition and pathway for participating teams to play in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 and subsequently have a chance to qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
PNG are currently in fourth position, on eight points while Namibia is sitting in seventh place with two points.
Namibia arrives into Port Moresby tomorrow before their ICUP four-day fixture starting on Sunday at Amini Park, Port Moresby.
Barramundis: 1. Assad Vala (C), 2. Vani Vagi Morea, 3. Tony Ura, 4. Lega Siaka, 5. Sese Bau, 6. Mahuru Dai, 7. Dogodo Bau, 8. John Boge Reva, 9. Willie Gavera, 10. Norman Vanua, 11. Chad Soper, 12. Alei Nao, 13. Nosiana Pokana, 14. Hiri Hiri.