Cricket keeps pace

THE Hebou PNG Barramundis had a challenging year and Cricket PNG (CPNG) high performance manager and Barras head coach Joe Dawes said he was happy with the strong finish after a patchy start.
Former first-class cricketer, assistant coach of Indian and the Australian women’s team, Dawes was appointed the PNG head coach at the start of the year and was happy with the way his side finished off the season.
“It has been a good finish to the year with the boys winning 18 of their last 21 games,” Dawes said.
“I think most importantly they have bought into the journey that we have started on and are really working hard on the areas they need to improve.”
Dawes’ first assignment as coach was the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, PNG finished ninth out of 10 teams, failed to qualify for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and relinquished their One Day International (ODI) status.
Although it wasn’t the result he was looking for, Dawes took some lessons moving forward.
“We came away from Zimbabwe and knew that we needed to address our batting. We came up with a discussion paper with a list of areas and things we had to do to get this right,” Dawes said.
“Firstly, we got the boys some good bats. It is surprising to them how much difference they make. Then we started giving them plans to play spin better, using feet and sweeping which has allowed us to put pressure back on bowlers where we were previously getting ourselves into trouble.
“We have also totally revamped our approach to strength and conditioning which has seen some remarkable improvements in fitness and body composition which will allow the boys to perform at a higher level for longer and make the most of their natural athleticism.”
Dawes played a big role in the revamp of the CPNG national championships — the Hebou Shield. The 2018 Hebou Shield men’s competition took place across seven days from July 23 to Aug 5, featuring four new teams, the best cricketers in PNG in a T20 format with all matches played at the home of cricket in PNG — Amini Park.
“It was a great tournament and something that we want to keep building on for next year with the same format being used in the women’s and Under-19 tournaments.
“I think for me was the standard of the cricket and also how it displayed the depth we have, but also just how much hard work there is for us to push the top associate teams. The players really love the franchise identities and we are using them in our pre-season training programme,” Dawes said.
After the conclusion of the Hebou Shield, the Hebou PNG Barramundis travelled to Fiji in August where they dominated the ICC WT20 EAP Qualifier ‘A’, finishing undefeated in the four-team event and qualifying for the ICC WT20 EAP final.
“I think the most pleasing thing for me was the standards we set and maintained all the way through.
“The other countries were all commenting about our professionalism and structures. Secondly, the areas we have been working on I could see the improvements coming through and it showed that we now have a successful T20 plan and the players are aware of their roles,” Dawes said.
The Barras then hosted Hong Kong in a 50-over/T20 series, before travelling to Hong Kong for the return leg.
At home, PNG won the T20 series, not losing a single game during the series and then won the 50-over series 2-1 against Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, PNG fell short in the West Pacific T20 Series, losing the final to Hong Kong by seven runs but bounced back to win the three-match 50-over South China Cup 2-1.
“This was a great way to continue on from Fiji. It showed us that we have the right formula and that it works against good international sides. We can carry this into the WT20 World Cup Qualifiers next year,” the 48-year-old said.
Overall Dawes was impressed with most of the players throughout the year.
“I think most players have made good steps this year. It was great to see the number of hundreds we have scored in the second half of the year and also the fielding continued to excel. We have an exciting young group that can all go on to dominate at international level,” Dawes said. The Barramundis have an important year ahead and Dawes is excited with the main aim of regaining ODI status.
“Next year is a very busy and incredibly important year. We will continue trying to qualify for the Word T20 in Australia whilst also getting our ODI status back in April.
“These two events are our focus for sure and then success there will set up the rest of the year and the next two years after.
“I want the boys to enjoy their time in cricket but have also challenged the men’s and women’s team to do something they have never done before and reach a senior ICC World Cup. Which means they have to do stuff at training they have never done before.”
On a personal note, Dawes had enjoyed the challenges that came with being the head coach at CPNG which included moving to Port Moresby on a permanent basis.
“Getting settled up here and getting into the swing of PNG life has taken awhile but joining a cycling group and meeting other locals has got me into it.
“The first year has been great fun as we work our way into getting the right group of players, getting them onside and heading in the right direction.
“To achieve this, I have been lucky to have the support of the office and HP staff at CPNG.”