PNG name side for qualifiers

By PATRICIA KEAMO
CRICKET Papua New Guinea has announced the final 15-man squad for the men’s national team that will be competing in the East Asia Pacific Twenty-20 (T20) World Cup qualifiers set to start on Saturday in Port Moresby’s Amini Park.
The squad will be led by head coach Nathan Reardon with assistant coaches John Ovia and Justin Sternes in the ten-day tournament against Philippines, Japan and Vanuatu for a spot at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Reardon, who was part of the coaching staff that helped the Barramundis qualify for their maiden World Cup in 2019, said he was excited to be part of the campaign for another shot at the big dance.
“The players are very excited leading into the EAP finals and are certainly aware of the positive impact qualifying for the 2024 World Cup will have on cricket in Papua New Guinea,” Reardon said.
“I am certainly excited to be involved with CPNG again, as I was part of the team when we qualified in Dubai with Joe Dawes.
“I saw how positive this was for everyone involved in PNG cricket so being coach to potentially get them into their second World Cup is very special.”
This is the first time PNG will host a T20 World Cup qualifier and even more special as it is the first EAP direct qualifier with the winner to go into the World Cup next year in West Indies and United States. CPNG chief executive officer Richard Done said he was pleased that the International Cricket Council accepted their submission to host.
“Credit to the organisation in getting everything in place for the tournament and the team for working hard in training over the last three months,” Done said.
Meanwhile, the visiting teams will arrive today and tomorrow with Vanuatu and Philippines expected to arrive ahead of Japan.
The four teams will play six rounds with the winner qualifying.
Squad: Charles Amini Jnr, Sese Bau, Kiplin Doriga, Jack Gardner, Riley Hekure, Hiri Hiri, Sema Kamea, John Kariko, Alei Nao, Lega Siaka (vice-captain), Tony Ura, Kabua Vagi, Assadollah Vala (captain), Norman Vanua, Hila Vare, (Reserves) Chad Soper, Jason Kila, Michael Charles; Nathan Reardon (head coach), John Ovia (team manager/assistant coach), Justin Sternes (assistant coach), Siyih Johang (physiotherapist), Anthea Murray (strength & conditioning coach).