Cricket in exciting times

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THERE are exciting times ahead for cricket with the three national teams — Kumul Petroleum Barramundis (men), Lewas (women) and Garamuts (Under-19 men) — preparing for important tournaments, says an official.
Cricket Papua New Guinea secretary Michael Harrison said the Barramundis arrived in Oman yesterday and would undergo a four-day quarantine before they played lead-up matches ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
He said the Lewas were preparing for their World Cup qualifier which would be held in Zimbabwe in November.
The Garamuts have already secured qualification for next year’s World Cup in Barbados.
“The Lewas will travel to Zimbabwe to try and qualify for the World Cup that will be held in New Zealand in February and March (next year),” Harrison said.
“Let’s hope that all three sides can make it through.
“The Barramundis are on their way to Oman while the Lewas and Garamuts are here.
“Given the Barras and Garamuts have qualified for the World Cup in their respective divisions, if we can get the Lewas to one, it would be fantastic for sports in general.”
Meanwhile, Harrison said the recent Isuzu National Cup had provided a huge boost for the teams as they had limited game time due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“There has been very little cricket in the world and they have not been able to play,” he said.
“So it was great for them to play together in the Isuzu Cup.”
Harrison said sustaining the three national teams had been tough.
“We have three teams we have to support, it’s a pretty tough challenge as cricket is played all over the world and it costs a lot of money to get them all there,” Harrison said.
Meanwhile, the Barramundis will be in Oman for the next 34 days.