Vanua ready for Kenya

 BY MELTON PAIS
PAPUA New Guinea Barramundis paceman Norman Vanua is itching to take on Kenya’s top-order when the two countries clash in their two-match one-day cricket matches this month in Port Moresby.
Vanua, 23, knows Kenya, having played them on two previous occasions and the swing bowler, who is expected to spearhead the Barras attack, has no qualms about toppling the Africans at Amini Park at the end of the month.
“I’ve played Kenya twice and this series would be my third and fourth games against them,” Vanua said.
“We first took them on in Dubai in 2013 during the opening game for the 2013 T20 world cup qualifier.
“I didn’t have a good start in that first game but later I came back strong in my second spell and took some wickets.
“The second time we played them was at the world cup qualifier in Ireland last year.
“I remember playing well, that was a warm-up match but we’ve won both our matches against Kenya.”
Vanua said training under coach Dipak Patel over the last month was challenging but was going well. “We’ve been in the nets, out in the field and in the weightroom training over the last month-and-half,” Vanua said.
“We have a good vibe going around the squad and training is always focused but at the same time fun and enjoyable.
“We are really looking forward to these upcoming matches and are excited that we are going to host ICC one-day internationals on home soil for the first time.”
“It will be a great opportunity to show case to our home crowd how the Barras play cricket.
Vanua, who is around six-foot (183cm) tall, is no slouch with the bat  as well, having dug PNG out of trouble on more than one occasion and fans can expect some big hitting along with his movement off the pitch and through the air with the ball.
He said getting fit was only part of the preparation and the mental aspect was crucial in having the players ready to perform and give their best when needed.
Physical  and mental toughness go hand-in-hand and Vanua the bowler has plenty of both.