Arua playing at top level

By PATRICIA KEAMO
NATIONAL women’s cricket team skipper Kaia Arua is competing among some of the world’s best cricketers in the Fairbreak Invitational Tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The tournament, which began yesterday, will see about 40 nations represented by six teams competing in the Twenty-20 format for the next 10 days.
Arua, who is playing with Falcons in the tournament, told The National yesterday she was honoured to have been invited to represent Papua New Guinea in competing against some of the world’s best players.
“I got an email from Shaun Martyn, founder of the Fairbreak Invitational,” Arua said.
“I was also contacted by (Cricket PNG chief executive) Greg Campbell about the invite around February, so I’ve been preparing for it.
“Our (Lewas) tour in Australia was a good preparation for me to compete in the tournament here.
“I was lucky enough to train with the Queensland coaches Sam Ward and Mick Rees, and a Queensland indigenous men’s team.”
The participating teams are Barmy Army, Tornadoes, Spirit Sapphires, Warriors and Arua’s Falcons.
Competing in the tournament are international captains Heather Knight (England), Stephanie Taylor (West Indies) and former New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates.
Arua said her aim for the tournament was to learn as much as she could and bring back the experience to help her team.
“We have the best cricketers here from around the world, so I’ve been going around talking to the other players,” she said.
“I’m asking questions and working on areas that our team need to work on.
“We’ve been talking about teamwork and how to build as a team, so I plan to bring back what I’ve learnt here to help my team grow.
“I have so much positive feedback from talking to English cricketers Danni Wyatt and Susan Bates, who is our team captain and someone I look up to.
“I am also trying to execute what I’ve learnt at training.
“I am proud to be here playing against the world’s best cricketers, it’s a privilege and an honour.”