Barras named for HK tour

THE Hebou PNG Barramundis squad to tour Hong Kong for the West Pacific Cup (T20), Hong Kong Sixes and the South China Cup (50 Over) from Oct 23 to Nov 1, was announced yesterday at the Cricket Office at Amini Park.
The 14-man squad will once again be captained by Assad Vala with 12 players coming from the Port Moresby Cricket Association (POMCA), Damien Ravu from the Lae Cricket Association (LCA) while Chad Soper is the only overseas-based player who plays his cricket in the New South Wales premier cricket competition.
Anthony Vare is the newest edition to the Barramundis squad.
He impressed the Cricket PNG (CPNG) national selection panel with his all-round skills with the CPNG Academy squad on the tour to Lae (in June) and in the recently completed Hebou International T20 Series in Port Moresby.
Wicket-keeper Dogodo Bau also makes his way back into the Barramundis squad after impressing in the Hebou Shield and in the international series.
Simon Atai and Steven Eno are the notable exclusions in this squad from the squad that won the ICC WT20 East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier ‘A’ in Fiji in August.
Top order batsman Lega Siaka, who scored a record 188 not out against Hong Kong in the 50-over series, will once again be looked on by coach Joe Dawes to continue his form while opener Tony Ura is another player capable to posting big scores.
Skipper Assad Vala, who had a quiet home series with the bat is the other batsman expected to flourish in Hong Kong.
Bowler Norman Vanua is expected to have a bigger impact.
The West Pacific Cup will be a T20 competition featuring PNG, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Hong Kong ‘A’ and will be played from Oct 23-25.
The Hong Kong Sixes will take place from the Oct 26-28 which will feature teams of six-a-side playing in a round-robin tournament with knock-out stages.
The tour will conclude with the 50-over tournament (South China Cup), featuring PNG, Malaysia and hosts Hong Kong from Oct 30-Nov 1.
The Barramundis travel to Hong Kong on Monday.
PNG Barramundis (T20/50-over) Squad: 1. Assad Vala (c), 2. Tony Ura, 3. Charles Amini Jr, 4. Sese Bau, 5. Lega Siaka, 6. Kipling Doriga, 7. Dogodo Bau, 8. Jason Kila, 9. Norman Vanua, 10. Nosaina Pokana, 11. John Boge Reva, 12. Chad Soper, 13. Damien Ravu, 14. Anthony Vare.
Squad for Hong Kong 6s: 1. Assad Vala (c), 2. Tony Ura, 3. Charles Amini Jr, 4. Sese Bau, 5. Lega Siaka, 6. Jason Kila, 7. Norman Vanua, 8. John Boge Reva.
Fixtures: West Pacific Cup (T20) – Tues, Oct 23: PNG vs Malaysia; Wed, Oct 24: PNG v Hong Kong ‘A’; Thurs, Oct 25: PNG v Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Sixes (6s) Fixtures TBC.
South China Cup (50 Overs) – Wed, Oct 31: PNG v Malaysia; Thurs, Nov 1: PNG v Hong Kong.