Barras performance very strong

 CRICKET PNG chief executive officer Bill Leane says the national side, the Barramundis, performed exceptionally at the recent World Cricket League Division 3 tournament in Hong Kong.

Speaking a day after arriving from the tournament (Tuesday) Leane told The National the Barramundis’ main objective of the qualifying for the International Cricket Council’s second division had been achieved even though PNG lost to Hong Kong in the final last Saturday.

“It was a very strong performance from our boys considering the age and experience of the team.

“If anything we over achieved.

“We had one of the youngest team’s in the competition and apart from five senior players the rest had never been to a major tournament before,” Leane said.

“The boys weren’t used to some of the weather which was cooler than what they’re used to for this time of year and the start times also benefited the bowling side early on.”

Leane said tournament fitness would be one area the Barramundis would need to improve while also addressing the batting.

But there will not be any let up as all national players currently on scholarship with various Australian cricket clubs are scheduled to fly out tomorrow to resume their scholarships.

PNG has improved its world ranking from a pre-tournament 26th to 22nd in the world and will need to finish in the top four of the Dubai event in April in order to remain in division two.

Success in Dubai would also mean more funding from the ICC for PNG cricket development.

“If we make the top 20  we will receive up to US$350,000 in additional ICC funding, but we will need to finish in the top four,” Leane said.

Division 2 nations are Uganda, Namibia, UAE, Hong Kong and Bermuda.