Garamut hopefuls play trials

Sports

By ROBINSON LEKA
CRICKET Papua New Guinea (CPNG) held trials this week for the Under-19 national men’s team that will be competing in next year’s World Cup (50 overs) in the West Indies.
CPNG national coach and tournament director Rodney Maha said 48 players from across the country were selected for a camp, with 18 cricketers to form the final squad.
“Initially, we had 48 players who joined the camp,” he told The National.
“We’ve cut down to 27. Later, we will be selecting a squad of 18 who we’ll send to the World Cup.
“Most of the players were selected via our talent identification programme throughout the country.
“We have Popondetta, Alotau and Lae players who have been identified and are here with us this week.
“We’re going through skills training, and teaching them about strength and conditioning, nutrition and getting them to know it takes to be a representative player.
“The most important part of this week is identifying players while they’re under pressure in a game situation.”
Maha commended the players in camp and said a final squad would be named later this month.
“The outstanding thing this week has been the raw junior talents on show,” he said.
“They’ll probably be needing a few pointers from us and our coaching staff, but they’ll be ready for the World Cup.”