Firstly lets have a look at the PNG squad and the sides they will be playing against in their group.
PNG Barramundis: Jack Vare (c/wk), Assad Vala (v/c), Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Vani Morea, Sese Bau, Mahuru Dai, Charles Amini, Kila Pala, Chad Soper, Norman Vanua, Willie Gavera, Loa Nou, Pipi Raho and John Reva.
A few changes from the last T20 WCQ which was way back in November 2013 in Dubai UAE. The two big noticable differences are the losses of experienced heads in former Captain Chris Amini and former England Test player Geriant Jones. The only other changes from the last qualifier include Andrew Hicks and Chris Kent missing out. Lega Siaka, Chad Soper and Loa Nou all come in for there first T20 WCQ.
PNG has been placed in Group A along side Ireland, Hong Kong, Nepal, USA, Jersey and Namibia.
The Barramundis are expected to finish in the top 4 in this group, PNG has defeated every country in this group before in T20 or international cricket (excluding Jersey as they have never played each other).Crunch matches will include Hong Kong, Namibia and Nepal. Wins against these sides should leapfrog the Barramundis into WC contention.
As we have seen the past 2 weeks PNG has played the Netherlands in the ICC Interocnital cup (4 day) and ICC WCL championships (50 over) matches. The boys came away from this tour with mixed results with an historic victory in their first 4 day game but back to back losses in the 2 50 over matches. Head coach Dipak Patel said there was work to be done before the WCQ following these losses. As part of the preperation for the T20 WCQ the Barras now head to England to play matches against county sides Worcestershire and Gloucestershire (Geriant Jones's club). Hopefully this will put the players in good stead for the qualifier.
Conditions in Europe are a lot different to those in PNG and Australia, however they can be compared to New Zealand. The ball will do alot of swinging however there wont be much pace on offer, batsman will have to be prepared to face variable bounce often staying a bit lower and slower.
Dipak Patel faces some welcomed selection headaches ahead of the first match against Jersey. The
batting side of things has seen all players get a run against the Netherlands. The likely line up would see Tony Ura opening up with Lega Siaka although Kila Pala would be a handy opener in T20 cricket. Assad Vala looks cemented at 3 meaning 4,5,6 become selection headaches, all depending on the make up of the side. Vani Morea, Mahuru Dai, Charles Amini, Sese Bau and Kila Pala will be fighting it out for these positions. Mahuru and Charles both provide spin options aswell meaning it might push them into the starting 11. Jack Vare will most likely bat 7 as he is the keeper meaning PNG will play 4 quicks. John Reva and Chad Sopers are medium pace allrounders. Whilst the fast bowlers will consist of Norman Vanua, Willie Gavera, Loa Nou and Pipi Raho. Realistically one of the 2 allrounders will play whilst 3 frontline quicks will make up the attack.
Therefore PNG's likely starting line up will be :
1. Tony Ura 2. Lega Siaka 3. Assad Vala 4. Vani Morea/Sese Bau 5. Mahuru Dai 6. Charles Amini/Kila Pala 7. Jack Vare 8. Chad Soper/John Reva 9. Norman Vanua 10. Willie Gavera 11.Loa Nou/Pipi Raho.
The tournament is really what PNG have been building for since gaining ODI status and many believe qualifying for the WC this will be the next step in there development. Having fallen agonizingly short at the last qualifier the boys will be hungrier and ready to take this tournament by storm!
Prediction: PNG will finish in the Top 6 and make the World Cup! how far they go in this tournament is upto them. This is PNGs time! After fallen short twice this is there time to shine. Go the Barras .
