More work needed for improvement: Coles

By PATRICIA KEAMO
MORE work needs to be put into improving the men’s national cricket team’s performance prior to November’s tri-nation series against the United States and hosts Namibia, an official says.
Interim coach Mark Coles said this after the Papua New Guinea Barramundis suffered back-to-back losses to Namibia at Amini Park in the Cricket World Cup League Two earlier this week.
“There’s lots to work on but I’ve seen some improvements, although we need to put a bowling and batting effort together,” Coles told The National yesterday.
“From the first game, we didn’t perform up to the standards we set.
“We need to understand when we are under pressure and what is required of us in the game.”
Coles said their batting performance was a reflection of the lack of energy from players after bowling in the first innings of the 50-over match.
“We need to ensure whatever has happened has happened and understand what is required in the next 50 overs,” he said.
“In the second game, we bowled well then chased a target of 215.
“We just needed one of our top-four batsman to get 60 plus runs to win the game.”
Coles added that going forward, he would be preparing the team ahead of the series in Namibia.
“We will be doing fitness, practicing under pressure and putting an emphasis on role clarity,” said Coles.
“A lot more emphasis will be put on the next group of players coming through.
“So both groups – Barramundis and Garamuts (U19) will become very important in this transition,” he said yesterday.