U19s set for qualifiers

 CRICKET PNG and the Hebou PNG Garamuts have received a boost ahead of the U19 ICC EAP Qualifiers after the Garamuts were invited to participate in an international series which includes the cricket heavyweights, Australia, New Zealand and India.

The series will be a huge bonus for the Garamuts as they look to qualify for their fourth consecutive U19 World Cup.

“This is a great opportunity to gauge ourselves against the leading cricket nations before our qualifiers on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland,” head coach, Peter Anderson said.

“We’ve got to be at our best if we are to cause an upset. There’s no reason why we can’t produce the same result we had against Zimbabwe last year. The belief now is that we can compete on even terms against the test cricketing nations,” Anderson added.

The Northern Territory host for the international series which begins on June 30 with PNG scheduled to play India first up on a Sunday followed by New Zealand on Tuesday July 2 and then they take on Australia on Thursday July 4.

East Asia Pacific ICC regional development manager Kieran McMillan said: “As cricket strives to be a bigger, better global game with more genuinely competitive teams on the world stage, it is critical that developing cricket nations play more matches against the Test playing members.  

“PNG’s involvement in this tournament is a fantastic opportunity for a country ranked 19th in the world. 

“It comes ahead of their entry into the inaugural South Australian Cricket Association’s  Premier League later this year, further strengthening their connection with Australian Cricket.”

All matches will be played at Marrara Oval, Gardens Oval and Tracy Village, Darwin.

The Garamuts fly out on Friday to Maroochydore, Queensland, to take part in the final stage of the ICC U19 EAP World Cup Qualifiers.

Fixtures: June 30 Aust v NZ, Marrara Oval; India v PNG, Tracy Village; July 2 Aust v India, Marrara Oval; NZ v PNG, Gardens Oval, July 4 NZ v India, Marrara Oval; Aust v PNG Gardens Oval.