Mariners to defend T20 Smash title ahead of 2024 edition

By JAMIE HARO
MARINERS will be looking to defend their 2023 Cup cricket title when the Isuzu T20 Smash returns to Amini Park this Friday.
Skipper Assad Vala said they aim to defend the title as their opponents Cassowaries, Mudmen and Black Bass have lined up teams consisting of quality players in the three weekend tournament.
“It will be a tough tournament this year because obviously all four teams are made up of five PNG Barra’s and four PNG Garamuts players,” Vala said.
“We made the finals last year and won against the Cassowaries but this year it’s a new team with a new challenge.
“We have the younger boys now coming in while the core of the four teams are made up of the Barras.”
He said this would be a great opportunity for them to teach the younger players a few skills.
Vala who is also PNG Barras national captain said “this is also a good tournament for the national team to use and prepare for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the next months.
“The plan for us now is to play the T20 Smash starting next week so the boys that went on tour have got a week off, so we come back to training next week and join up the boys that are in the same team in the Isuzu Cup,” he said.
“We play for that for a three-week series tournament and after that we probably have a month to train before we head off for the World Cup prep around May.” Mariners: Asadollah Vala (C), Gaudi Toka, Michael Charlie, John Kariko, Sema Kamea (Barramundis), Nou Gini, Toua Boga Nou, Sam Momo, Dai Mahuru (Garamuts).
Round 1 fixtures: Mariners v Mudmen (Sat), Mariners v Black Bass (Sun), Mariners v Cassowaries (Mon)