Cricket names Lewas

The National Sports

THE City Pharmacy Papua New Guinea Lewas squad to complete at the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 (WWT20) qualifier in the Netherlands from July 3-14 was announced at Amini Park yesterday.
The 14-member Lewas squad are all playing in the Port Moresby Cricket Association (POMCA) except for Natasha Ambo, who plays in the Popondetta Cricket Association (PCA).
The Lewas are in Group A for the qualifier along with Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and hosts Netherlands. Group B comprises Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and Uganda.
PNG qualified for the ICC WWT20Q after winning the East-Asia-Pacific (EAP) qualifier in Japan last year.
The Lewas travel to the Netherlands on June 27 where they will play the Netherlands, UAE, Thailand and Ireland in practice matches before taking on Bangladesh in the first match on July 7.
The Lewas also competed in the last ICC WWT20 qualifier in Thailand in 2015 where they won the plate trophy.
The format of the qualifier will remain the same as the last edition in Bangkok, Thailand in 2015.
There will be two groups of four, where each team will play each other in each group in the group stage.
After the conclusion of the group stage the top two from each group will progress to the trophy competition and contest for a place in the WWT20 2018.
The bottom two from each group will contest for the plate.
In both competitions there will be semifinals, finals and ranking matches, guaranteeing every team five matches no matter their finishing position.
The winners of each semifinal in the trophy competition will qualify for the Women’s World T20 2018.
Tour Fixtures: Fri, June 29 – PNG v Netherlands (practice); Mon, July 2 – PNG v UAE (practice); Tues, July 3 – PNG v Thailand (practice); Thurs, July 5 – PNG v Ireland (practice); Sat, July 7 – PNG v Bangladesh; Sun, July 8 – PNG v UAE; Tues, July 10 – PNG v Netherlands; Thurs, July 12 – Semifinals; Sat, July 14 – Final.
Lewas: Pauke Siaka, Kaia Arua, Sibona Lucy Jimmy, Tanya Ruma, Natasha Ambo, Vicky Ara’a, Helen Buruka, Veru Kila Frank, Kopi John, Ravini Oa, Brenda Hoi Tau, Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua, Naoani Noinoi Vare; Non-travelling reserves: Norma Ovasuru, Nerella Ila, Gari Buruka, Holland Doriga.