Well its been a while between drinks for the Barramundies men, but the hard work has not stop and neither has the excitement surrounding PNG cricket. New head coach Dipak Patel has arrived in the country and has ripped in straight away. Last weeks Big bash and World cup Trophy arrival has provided the perfect hit out for the players heading into a big month. So lets get started firstly we'll run through the squad and the fixtures.
The Squad: Chris Amini (c), Jack Vare (v/c), Assad Vala, Mahuru Dai, WIllie Gavera, Tony Ura, Charles Amini Jnr, Vani V Morea, Raymond Haoda Jnr, Pipi Raho, John B Reva, Kila Pala, Lega Siaka & Normana Vanua. Reserves - Jason Kila, Kiplin Doriga, Kabua V Morea & Dogodo Bau
The usual suspects and key players have returned for another hit out. The notable admissions are Chris Kent and Geraint Jones who are busy overseas either playing cricket or studying hard. Andrew Hicks has also been dropped since the last SACA series. Norman Vanua returns for the 50 over series as he didn't take part in the SACA 50 over series last time round due to study.
The fixtures: Things will start off tomorrow on the Gold Coast where the Barras play an All Star SACA premier league Side in a one T20 and one 50 over match series. PNG will then Fly up to Darwin where they will play the Australian Indigenous side and an East-Asia Pacific side in some 50 over and T20 matches. Prior to the SACA Premier league starting the barras have a one off 50 over game against the United Arab Emirates. Then the key tournament the SACA premier league 50 over and 2 day tournament (which will be held in Adelaide)
So with all that in mind I'll just run over a few things. The match against the UAE might actually prove to be the Barras most important. With ODI status comes responsibly and i'm sure that the boys will be wanting to prove to the other ODI status sides they can mix it with them. Last time the UAE humiliated the Barras in NZ however the pitches in Darwin are fast and furious and will go against the Spin dominated UAE, im sure the PNG bowlers could send a message to the rest of the cricket world with a dominate performance here.
The premier league is a great development platform for the side. Since entering it the Barras have gone from strength to strength on and off the field, this year will give us a clear indication of where the barras are at with ODI status now doors are just going to keep opening up. Hopefully well see a few boys sign full Big Bash or state contracts in the next few years.
Also its worth pointing out there are 5 PNG players playing for the EAP 11 in their matches against the NT Strike and Australian indigenous sides, they are Jason Kila, Dogodo Bau, Kiplin Dorgia, Kabua Morea and Reily Hekeure.
Good luck players, coaches and all involved. Enjoy the month its a big one.
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Saturday, 1 February 2014
PNG u19 Garramuts WC preview
Well things just keep on ticking on in PNG cricket. It's now our young boys turn the PNG U19 Garramuts are off to Dubai in the UAE to contest in the 2014 u19 cwc. This is the 7th time PNG has made the u19 wc and 4th wc in a row. Firstly lets take a look at the squad and preview the team.
There is only 1 change to the Garramuts squad and that is Mea Jimmy comes in the 15 as ICC rules allow a squad of 15 players the remaining 14 all took part on last years qualifier and top end series.
PNG is in group A alongside champions India, Pakistan and associates Scotland. The first match for the Garramuts is against Scotland and it is critical the side gets a win there to kick start there tournament. From watching these boys play and viewing results online it's not hard to tell that the bowling is defiantly there strong point. Kabua Morea (v/c) is a quality left arm medium pacer who starred for the Garramuts in last years games taking 12 wickets in 4 games, his ability to swing the ball is causing havoc for opposing batsman. Which has seen him rise to a barramundies reserve player. Other quick bowlers include Ali Nao a right arm pace bowler who is probably the quickest bowler in this side he will have to set the tone early on. Then there's Nosiana Pokana a very tall left arm quick who gets a lot of bounce and is usually a very tight bowler. Leg spinners Allen Joesph and Mea Jimmy will look to get a lot of turn in Dubai as they will be used a lot due to the pitches being spinner friendly. Hiri Hiri the top order batsman will partner them with his handy offies. The squads biggest assets are all rounders Reily Hekure and Sakavai Gebai. Both have been in wonderful form in Australia. Consistent medium paces who bowl to a plan both are devastating on there given days and will round out a strong bowling line up. Now onto the batting. There's no hiding from the fact PNG will struggle with the bat however players like Gaudi Toka, Reily Hekure and keeper Tom Willie will have to stand up and score runs. A lot will rely on captain Dogodo Bau to score runs as he is the most experienced player in this line up and has the ability to score big. Finally PNG are coached by the wonderful John Ovia a man with great experience and a wonderful connection with the boys.
The first match against Scotland will show how far the Garramuts will go in this tournament regardless of the results in the wc, were all very proud of these boys and know they will represent PNG with great passion.
There is only 1 change to the Garramuts squad and that is Mea Jimmy comes in the 15 as ICC rules allow a squad of 15 players the remaining 14 all took part on last years qualifier and top end series.
PNG is in group A alongside champions India, Pakistan and associates Scotland. The first match for the Garramuts is against Scotland and it is critical the side gets a win there to kick start there tournament. From watching these boys play and viewing results online it's not hard to tell that the bowling is defiantly there strong point. Kabua Morea (v/c) is a quality left arm medium pacer who starred for the Garramuts in last years games taking 12 wickets in 4 games, his ability to swing the ball is causing havoc for opposing batsman. Which has seen him rise to a barramundies reserve player. Other quick bowlers include Ali Nao a right arm pace bowler who is probably the quickest bowler in this side he will have to set the tone early on. Then there's Nosiana Pokana a very tall left arm quick who gets a lot of bounce and is usually a very tight bowler. Leg spinners Allen Joesph and Mea Jimmy will look to get a lot of turn in Dubai as they will be used a lot due to the pitches being spinner friendly. Hiri Hiri the top order batsman will partner them with his handy offies. The squads biggest assets are all rounders Reily Hekure and Sakavai Gebai. Both have been in wonderful form in Australia. Consistent medium paces who bowl to a plan both are devastating on there given days and will round out a strong bowling line up. Now onto the batting. There's no hiding from the fact PNG will struggle with the bat however players like Gaudi Toka, Reily Hekure and keeper Tom Willie will have to stand up and score runs. A lot will rely on captain Dogodo Bau to score runs as he is the most experienced player in this line up and has the ability to score big. Finally PNG are coached by the wonderful John Ovia a man with great experience and a wonderful connection with the boys.
The first match against Scotland will show how far the Garramuts will go in this tournament regardless of the results in the wc, were all very proud of these boys and know they will represent PNG with great passion.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Why Papua New Guinea can make the World Cup
The 50 over qualifiers are near and most sides are ramping up preparations for what experts are calling "perhaps the most important tournament for associate cricket in some time". Why is it so important you may ask? well in terms of source funding, ODI status and a place in the world cup, this tournament may prove critical for emerging nations for years to come. With that comes added pressure and nerves to all players, coaching panels and fans.
Anyways why can the boys from PNG make the world cup?? Heres a few reasons why I think they can.
First and foremost lets have a look at the Squad:
Chris Amini (c), Jack Vare (W/k, V/c), Assad Vala, Tony Ura, Charles Amini, Marhuru Dai, Willie Gavera, Norman Vanua, Lega Siaka, Raymond Haoda, Pipi Raho, Kila Pala,Vani Morea, Chris Kent and Geraint Jones.
Only 2 changes come from the Squad that competed in Dubai with Lega Siaka and Raymond Haoda coming in for Andrew hicks and John Reva. Lega Siaka is a young right handed batsman who bowls handy leggies, whilst Raymond Haoda is a tall young right arm quick with the ability to move the ball. Both players played for PNG u19 in the last world cup. The squad looks quiete balanced with 8 batsman, 4 frontline bowlers and 3 allrounders making it up.
Anyways lets get onto the main subject at hand. Why do I think PNG can make the WC?
It has been a while since PNG has played in an ICC 50 over international tournament however the players have played several 50 over matches since the succesfull ICC div 2 tournament way back in 2011.
Firstly PNG has the added advantage of this tournament being in their very own region (East - Asia Pacific) in New Zealand, the very destination where they successfully defended their EAP trophy last year. Conditions will suit the way PNG play and the Barramundie boys will be used to it. Secondly PNG has a very very good pace attack. The inclusion of Ray Haoda gives PNG 4 frontline seamers all with different attributes and abilities. Willie Gavera is PNG's go to man in the recent t20 qualifiers he took 12 wickets the most for a PNG player in the tournament with an average of 16. He is the fastest bowler in the line up. Ray Haoda provides the intimidation factor, a tall right arm quick who moves the ball he will be deadly in NZ conditions. Norman Vanua is a youngster with a great action and genuine raw speed, he will look to keep things tight and take some wickets. Pipi Raho has become PNG's destroyer, ripping through top orders in both the T20 qualifiers and SACA T20 tournament. His ability to move the ball is causing problems around the world. 3 quality allrounders will help assist these seamers too, again all bringing different aspects to the line up. Charles Amini the Sydney Sixer is a big turning leggie and often provides PNG with the must needed wicket when required. Mahuru Dai is a veteran off spinner who bowls wonderful areas and finds wickets at a regular rate and of course the skipper Chris Amini who is a quality Medium pacer with the ability to move the ball both ways and change his pace, he was PNG's second highest wicket taker in Dubai with 9. Now that I have summed up the bowling attack its time to preview the batting line up. The general perception of PNG in the 50 over format is that they either go to hard or not hard enough. I disagree with this. With the quality line up that PNG posses I think they would only require 220+ to win most matches. In Dubai back in 2011 for Div 2, PNG's top score was only 230 yet they won 4 out of 7 matches. I think finding the balance will be critical. Obviously the team possesses a lot of fire power in the likes of Assad Vala, Tony Ura and Kila Pala. But batsman like Charles Amini, Chris Kent and Geraint Jones will provide the difference in the 50 over format, similar to the plan in Dubai let the big hitters go about their business and look to those 3 to bat time. Dont be surprised if one of them open too. Finally PNG have a wonderful coaching staff and the players play the match with great passion and flair. I look forward to this tournament and hope the barramundies can do PNG proud. Good luck guys.
Anyways why can the boys from PNG make the world cup?? Heres a few reasons why I think they can.
First and foremost lets have a look at the Squad:
Chris Amini (c), Jack Vare (W/k, V/c), Assad Vala, Tony Ura, Charles Amini, Marhuru Dai, Willie Gavera, Norman Vanua, Lega Siaka, Raymond Haoda, Pipi Raho, Kila Pala,Vani Morea, Chris Kent and Geraint Jones.
Only 2 changes come from the Squad that competed in Dubai with Lega Siaka and Raymond Haoda coming in for Andrew hicks and John Reva. Lega Siaka is a young right handed batsman who bowls handy leggies, whilst Raymond Haoda is a tall young right arm quick with the ability to move the ball. Both players played for PNG u19 in the last world cup. The squad looks quiete balanced with 8 batsman, 4 frontline bowlers and 3 allrounders making it up.
Anyways lets get onto the main subject at hand. Why do I think PNG can make the WC?
It has been a while since PNG has played in an ICC 50 over international tournament however the players have played several 50 over matches since the succesfull ICC div 2 tournament way back in 2011.
Firstly PNG has the added advantage of this tournament being in their very own region (East - Asia Pacific) in New Zealand, the very destination where they successfully defended their EAP trophy last year. Conditions will suit the way PNG play and the Barramundie boys will be used to it. Secondly PNG has a very very good pace attack. The inclusion of Ray Haoda gives PNG 4 frontline seamers all with different attributes and abilities. Willie Gavera is PNG's go to man in the recent t20 qualifiers he took 12 wickets the most for a PNG player in the tournament with an average of 16. He is the fastest bowler in the line up. Ray Haoda provides the intimidation factor, a tall right arm quick who moves the ball he will be deadly in NZ conditions. Norman Vanua is a youngster with a great action and genuine raw speed, he will look to keep things tight and take some wickets. Pipi Raho has become PNG's destroyer, ripping through top orders in both the T20 qualifiers and SACA T20 tournament. His ability to move the ball is causing problems around the world. 3 quality allrounders will help assist these seamers too, again all bringing different aspects to the line up. Charles Amini the Sydney Sixer is a big turning leggie and often provides PNG with the must needed wicket when required. Mahuru Dai is a veteran off spinner who bowls wonderful areas and finds wickets at a regular rate and of course the skipper Chris Amini who is a quality Medium pacer with the ability to move the ball both ways and change his pace, he was PNG's second highest wicket taker in Dubai with 9. Now that I have summed up the bowling attack its time to preview the batting line up. The general perception of PNG in the 50 over format is that they either go to hard or not hard enough. I disagree with this. With the quality line up that PNG posses I think they would only require 220+ to win most matches. In Dubai back in 2011 for Div 2, PNG's top score was only 230 yet they won 4 out of 7 matches. I think finding the balance will be critical. Obviously the team possesses a lot of fire power in the likes of Assad Vala, Tony Ura and Kila Pala. But batsman like Charles Amini, Chris Kent and Geraint Jones will provide the difference in the 50 over format, similar to the plan in Dubai let the big hitters go about their business and look to those 3 to bat time. Dont be surprised if one of them open too. Finally PNG have a wonderful coaching staff and the players play the match with great passion and flair. I look forward to this tournament and hope the barramundies can do PNG proud. Good luck guys.
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