T20 Smash to double as Garamuts selection

SELECTIONS for the Papua New Guinea men’s Under-19 cricket squad for the ICC U19 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifiers will be made after the Isuzu Twenty-20 Smash starting on Friday, says head coach Jack Vare-Kevere.
The Garamuts train-on-squad concluded their five-week trials over the weekend with 16 of them selected to participate in the T20 competition alongside the senior men’s team.
Kevere said while their preparation was focused on the 50-over format in line with their World Cup qualifier, the Isuzu tournament would enable them to draw experience from the Barramundis.
“We ticked off all the boxes for our preparation in the last two games where we had players batting longer with big partnerships which was really good to see,” Kevere told The National yesterday.
“Obviously these kids have been set up in a way where they play 10-15 over cricket and it’s good to see them batting through the longer overs.
“The highest partnership all through the five-week trials was 96 runs which was scored in the last game (Saturday). Previous weekends we had a 91 run partnership. It’s good to see these bunch of players building on what we planned for.”
Kevere said 16 players (batters, bowlers and wicket keepers) have been spread amongst the four teams in the Isuzu T20 Smash that would run for two months.
“A few of the players were selected to take part in the competition but that doesn’t guarantee their spot in the final team,” he said.
“This is a good opportunity for them to play alongside players such as Assad Vala, Tony Ura and pick their brains, that’s the encouragement for them.”