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.
