Busy schedule for cricketers

 WITH the conclusion of the Hebou Shield tournament, Cricket PNG has announced a 35-man squad to train for the upcoming tournaments over the next eight months. 

Limited Overs (50) and Twenty-20 champions, Hebou Hammers dominate the list with players selected from all six teams that participated in the Hebou Shield.

Cricket PNG’s busy schedule of events begins with first tournament being the Quad Series which will be held in Brisbane from Aug 12-17. 

Teams participating are the PNG Barramundis, East-Asia Pacific (EAP) XI, Australian Indigenous Development XI and the Armed Services Combined XI. 

Three players from PNG, Charles Amini, and Lega Siaka and Riley Hekure will play with the EAP over the course of the tournament.

Following the Quad series, the Barramundis will head to Darwin and Adelaide to participate in the inaugural South Australia Cricket Association’s (SACA) Premier League competition which begins in September. 

The competition is a six team competition which includes the PNG Barramundis, Northern Territory and four SACA District teams.

In between the SACA Premier League competition, the Barramundis will turn their attention to the T20 World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November. 

The Barramundis are one of sixteen teams competing for a place in the T20 World Cup. 

A top six finish will see the Barramundis qualify for the T20 World Cup.

Next year the Barramundis switch formats to 50 overs in New Zealand for the one-day World Cup Qualifiers. 

The tournament will be held in January. 

It is a 12-team tournament with only two spots available.

Cricket PNG’s high performance manager, Rarua Dikana was very happy with the staging of the Hebou Shield tournament (50 over & T20s).

“It’s very pleasing to see players perform very well over the last two months. We’ve had our current Barramundis’ perform very well and it’s also good to see the other players also up there in performances as well. Show’s our depth in talent we have here”.

“The players selected here is reward for their performances and each and every person in this 35-man squad has an opportunity to make it into the PNG Barramundis,” Dikana (pictured left) said. 

“You don’t have to be a contracted player to get selected for the Barramundis. Spots are open for all 35 players now so it will come down to dedication and commitment over the next six weeks,” he added. 

The Squad: Pipi Raho, Jack Vare-Kevere, Inoa Baeau, Chris Amini, Jason Kila, Andrew Hicks, Sese Bau, Mahuta Kivung, Hoge Henao, Assad Vala (pictured right), Kila Pala, Lega Siaka, Mahuru Dai, Greg Baeau, Charles Amini, Cedric Kini, Heni Siaka, Vani Vagi Morea, Arina Lahari, Pegi Pegi, Paul Rawali, Jonathan Diho, Willie Gavera, Jeremiah Nigani, Ratu Maha, Michael Rawali, Tanti Heni, John B Reva, Alfred Amini, Junius Ani, Raymond Haoda Junior, Kali Ila, Tony Ura, Joel Tom, Loa Sisia.