Big hit back on

By PATRICIA KEAMO
CRICKET Papua New Guinea will kick off its flagship domestic competition, the Isuzu Twenty-20 (T20) Smash, tomorrow at the Amini Park with a weekend full of action as four men’s teams tussle for the title.
Tournament director Lakani Oala told The National that the women’s fixtures would start next month when the PNG Lewas arrive from their tour of Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates.
Tomorrow’s round one opener will see the Cassowaries led by PNG Barramundis opener Tony Ura taking on Mudmen captained by leg-spinning all-rounder Charles Amini Jr.
Saturday’s fixtures will be a double-header with defending champions Mariners taking on Mudmen.
Mariners, led by national captain Assad Vala, will look to get a good start in the competition in their run to retain the honours.
In the afternoon, Black Bass and Cassowaries will battle it out at Amini Park.
On Sunday a single fixture will be played between Mariners and Black Bass before they wrap up round one of the competition on Monday with a double-header. Mariners will face off against Cassowaries before Mudmen and Black Bass meet in the main clash.
Meanwhile, Oala clarified that the first three weeks of competition would only be the men’s fixtures with the finals set for April 13 with the women’s games to start on April 20.
“We also have the Under-19 teams who are preparing and we have identified 16 players for the Garamuts to join the Barramundis in this competition,” said Oala.
“The rest of the team is made from players nominated from respective cricket associations and selected to make up the remaining four spots in each team.”
The four participating teams have four members of the Barramundis and the Garamuts respectively, while the remaining four players were sourced from CPNG’s member associations.
“This is our flagship competition with the country’s best players competing against each other so the benefit to the U19 both boys and girls is they will be playing against the best players in PNG,” said Oala.
“That should help sharpen them for the higher competitions they are preparing for. This will also be a good selection point for those teams.
“Also for the Barramundis and the Lewas as they is no guarantee for those who are the team that they’ve cemented their place, everyone has to prove their worth.”