The Knocks that changed PNG cricket.

August 3rd 2011. Its a cold windy day in Strabane in Northern Ireland. The PNG Garramuts are contesting in the U19 CWC qualifier vying for one of the the six spots on offer to progress to the 2012 u19 CWC in Australia. Struggling with just one win from four matches so far, things aren't looking much better in today's match against Kenya. The Garramuts batting first have slumped to 7/90 and are looking at being bowled for a below par score.

A youngster by the name of Toua Tom who still floats around cricket fields in Port Moresby strides to the wicket with nothing expected of him. Kenya can already sense a victory and shortly take the wicket of Albert Geita to leave PNG at 8/106. A tall wily haired fast bowler named Raymond Haoda strides out and with Toua they being to form a partnership however Raymond soon departs for 10 leaving the Garramuts at 9/137.

What happens next is the knock that saves PNG cricket and starts its incredible rise to ODI status and beyond. Toua Tom the number 9 blasts an incredible 82 runs from just 86 balls including 4 fours and 4 sixes. The Garramuts rally to 9/204 from 50 overs, number 11 Alei Nao scores just 7 runs but is involved in a last wicket stand of 67 runs. Leaving Kenya deflated, the Garramuts have found some energy and inspiration.

PNG with their new found energy come to the party and bowl Kenya out for just 138 runs, funnily enough one more run then when Alei Nao strode to the wicket. Toua opens the bowling and claims 1/20 from his 6 overs. Future Barramundies Norman Vanua and Chris Kent take 3 wickets each. PNG have now claimed their 2nd victory in the tournament and go on to win to heavily defeat Vanuatu in their next match leaving them with 3 wins and 3 losses.

3 days later its battle time again the Garramuts are taking on Canada who batting first boast a massive total off 261 from their 50 overs. Youngster Nitesh Kumar scores 150. The Garramuts are down and out. Struggling at 3/13 its looks all but over for PNG.

Captain and Future Barramundi player Chris Kent is at the wicket. The leading run scorer for the tournament PNG need something special from him. He deliverers an incredible knock of 166 not out. From just 131 balls including 21 fours and 2 sixies. The garramuts make it home by 4 wickets with 2 balls remaining. Chris stills plays cricket today in Brisbane whilst representing PNG A recently.

They go on to lose to Nepal but dismantle Ireland in the final round. Finishing 5th and qualifying for the 2012 U19 CWC in Australia. Without these special knocks from Toua Tom and Chris Kent PNG would never have made it to the WC and future stars like Charles Amini, Norman Vanua, and Lega Siaka might never have made it to the national side. Without them PNG might never have made it to ODI status and beyond.

These knocks are what started it all 4 long years ago, of course there has been other notable knocks since then including Lega Siaka's efforts in New Zealand. But on those cold windy days in Ireland who would have thought that it would produce something special, something that changed a nation.