Cricket is about playing smart, says U19 rep batsman Ani

Sports

NATIONAL Under-19 batsman Ryan Ani says cricket is about playing smart and enjoying the game.
“I started playing in an Under-12 indoor cricket competition,” he said.
“My uncle then brought me to corporate indoor competitions.
“And the next thing I knew, I joined the Raukele cricket club.”
That was where gifted Ani was discovered.
“Cricket is mostly about playing smart and enjoying the game,” he said.
“Cricket brings families together and brings about a lot of cheerful moments.”
Recently completing Grade 12 at Gordon Secondary School in Port Moresby, Ani was fortunate enough to balance school and training, ultimately making the final team for the U19 Twenty-20 Men’s World Cup in the West Indies.
He was encouraged by his coach to focus on the national examination before he could undergo full training.
“Two weeks before the national exam, I studied as much as I could,” Ani said.
“And after those two weeks, I had put in the hard work in training for the World Cup.”
Now making it to the international stage is surreal.
Ani now hopes to play his best game next month.
“I want to make my country and everyone proud,” he said.
“All the players are looking forward to the World Cup.
“If we focus not only on ourselves, but our country, we can be optimistic and make everyone proud.”
Being the first time the 18-year-old will be travelling overseas, Ani admits he is quite nervous especially crossing international borders through a pandemic.
“But I should be fine,” he said.
Ani is a typical teenager when he is not playing cricket.
He likes working out and loves eating.
“I eat everything,” Ani said.