Barras get ready for T20 WC qualifiers

PAPUA New Guinea are far from a powerhouse in world cricket but two ACT cricketers are looking to put the tiny nation on the international map.
The Barramundis are in Canberra as part of their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 Cup qualifiers held in the United Arab Emirates on March 13-24.
Asad Vala and Jack Vare both played first grade cricket for Ginninderra last season but had turned their attention to getting the Barramundis into the Twenty20 World Cup held in Sri Lanka from September to October.
To qualify for the World Cup, the Barramundis, ranked 19th in the world, must make the final of the tournament.  And new coach Peter Anderson is confident that his team can “sneak under the radar” and surprise some of the stronger association teams. His team feel the same way.
“It is one of the biggest events in the history of PNG cricket so hopefully we will do well,” Vare said.
“We are aiming to win the qualifying games so that we can go to the World Cup.”
Vare as wicketkeeper grew up idolising Australian keepers Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist after first being involved in the sport as an eight-year-old in his village in the capital Port Moresby.
Cricket is the second most popular sport in PNG after rugby league.
But Vala believes the sport is increasing in popularity especially after the side’s strong performances just to qualify for the 16-team event.
“It is the second biggest sport behind rugby league but it is probably the most successful team sport at the moment though,” Vala said.
“Cricket back home is not at the standard that we want it to be so if we keep on working at cricket, the standard at home is going to be higher.”
The Barramundis have been buoyed by the addition of former English Test player Geraint Jones.
Jones was a member of England’s Ashes victory in 2005 and played 34 Tests for England.
He is eligible to play for the Barramundis as he was born in PNG and spent the first six years of his life in the country.
Jones has not played for England since 2006 and the wicketkeeper jumped at the chance to be part of the squad.
“First and foremost I had to find out if the guys wanted me to be part of their group. They did and it wasn’t a huge decision to make. I wanted to be part of it and the chance to go to a World Cup is every cricketer’s dream,” Jones said.