Garamuts skipper primed

 By ISAAC LIRI

Inspired by heroes Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendukar, young Lou Toua is prepared to lead the Papua New Guinea Under-19 side in their quest to defend their International Cricket Council East-Asia Pacific tournament to reclaim the title. 

The Hanuabada lad started playing cricket when he was eight-years-old and after 10 years of playing, the opportunity to lead the Garamuts to New Zealand next week is a challenge he is relishing.      

Lou is a product of the Arua Rarua Liklik Cricket competition that has produced a host of  cricketers into the Barramandis, most natably Lega Siaka.  

Captaining for the first time is a task Lou says he will dive whole-heartedly into.

The 18-year-old was grateful to his family for their support, especially elder brother Brian, who is his mentor. 

“He is not a Barramandi but he plays cricket and always helps me in my training,” Toua said.  

Toua plays for Poreporena in the Port Moresby Cricket Association (PMSA) and has been with the club since 2012. Before that he played for Taura.  

The all-rounder exudes confidence and says Garamuts expect to do well not just because of the talent in  the squad but because they had trained hard over the past three weeks.

Garamuts fast bowler Ovia Boge said Toua was a leader on and off the field and he would handle the responsibility with ease. 

“Lou doesn’t take it easy on us at training,” Boge said.

“He is constantly demanding the best from us and he leads by example. He is a good captain.”

Boge said he was excited at the prospect of defending the title and carrying on the tradition of past Garamuts teams.

“We have a job to do and I’m just glad Lou is the man at the front for us.”    

The team leaves for Blenheim, New Zealand, next week.