Lewas named for Scotland tour

CRICKET Papua New Guinea announced the Lewas squad to tour Scotland from Sunday to Sept 8, for their International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Women’s World Cup qualifier in Dundee, Scotland.
Their pool matches will be against Bangladesh, Scotland and the United States, with the top-two through to the semifinals.
The other pool comprises Ireland, Thailand, Netherlands and Namibia; the two teams that reach the grand final will win a place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year. Coach Rarua Dikana while announcing the team said: “It is always a difficult job for the selectors getting the team balance right but I am very confident that this squad will be successful.
“The senior players showed very good form in the Curtain Bros Smash series with Brenda Tau leading the batting figures and Sibona Jimmy the best bowler in that tournament.
“We welcome back Konio Oala, who won player of the tournament, with a great all round performance and Narela Ila, who gets her chance to debut in Scotland.”
The Curtain Brothers T20 Smash grand final was played in front of a good crowd at the Amini Park on Sunday.
The top of the table Ela Motors Cassowaries batted first with Sibona Jimmy (35), Kaia Arua (18) and Isabel Toua (16 not out) pushed the Cassowaries total up to 128/5 off their 20 overs.
Henao Thomas led the Bank South Pacific Black Bass bowling with 3-25 off her four overs. In reply, the Black Bass kept the run rate in check with Helen Buruka (39) and captain Tanya Ruma (41 not out) combining to put the win within reach however some tight bowling and an excellent spell by the player-of-the-match Jimmy 3-13 restricted the final score to 117/3.
Speaking after the game, Lewas and Cassowaries captain Kaia Arua said: “It was a very exciting final.
“We are proud to win the Curtain Brothers T20 Smash shield, this has been a good competition to get our players ready for Scotland where we want to win a place in next year’s World Cup.”
The Lewas leave for Brisbane on Friday where they will play against the Heat before heading to Scotland on Sunday night.
Lewas squad: Kaia Arua (c), Ravini Oa (vc), Tanya Ruma (vc), Kila Frank, Brenda Tau, Mairi Tom, Vicky Araá, Isabel Toua, Natasha Ambo, Gari Buruka, Sibona Jimmy, Konio Oala, Narela Ila, Naoani Vare.