Barras T20 WCQ Preview

July marks another big month for the PNG Barramundis. The T20 WCQ to be held in both Ireland and Scotland is the pinnacle event for Assoicate and Affiliate nations and even more special this year with Star Sports to broadcast a number of matches around the world, (PNG has got 3 games telecasted).

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 .

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.

Barras Big September Preview.

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.

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.

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.

PNG vs Hong Kong

2 teams. By tomorrow afternoon 1 team will be going home knowing they've book a ticket to Bangladesh and the other will be heart broken, reflecting on all the hard work and sacrifices made to get so far into this tournament but fall agonisingly short. PNG vs Hong Kong is that match. Hong Kong come into this match on the back of a last ball loss to Nepal but still carrying confidence, PNG on the other hand progressed to this match virtue of a superb bowling performance to beat Namibia in the elimination semi.
A quick word: HK and PNG have been fierce rivals for many years, constantly playing one another for the past 3 seasons. Last year in this very tournament HK had their hearts broken by the Papuans who won on the 2nd last ball, will this anger fuel hk revenge tomorrow? Whatever the case is both sides are desperate to make it to their first ever world cup and this will surely be a match to remember (at least for one nation).
Key Match-ups: 
Pipi Raho vs Irfan Ahmed 
Its opening bowler vs opening batsman. Ahmed has flauted since blasting his century against Canada. Will he finally fire again or will Pipi Raho demolish the Hong Kong attack just like he did against Namibia.
Haseeb Amjad/Tanwir Afrzal vs Tony Ura/Assad vala 
PNGs openers have been in devastating form even without Assad shining the Barras have got off to a great start in nearly every match. Will these continue or will the Right arm quicks from Asia put this to an end.
The way I see it: Pffft this is going to be a tough one. 2 teams, only 1 goes through. Both are desperate to make an impact on the cricketing world, which won will it be? For me theres only one answer. Papua New Guinea. These boys have progressed out of the pool of death and come into this match off the back of another great win whilst HK comes into the match with a confidence denting loss. However whatever the case this match is going to be one to remember. Expect some fireworks.
PNG by 15 runs or 6 wickets.

Playoffs: PNG vs Namibia (The big one)

The playoffs have come, the time of the tournament where it is do or die for some sides. PNG vs Namibia is that situation. Namibia has progressed virtue of finishing 4th in group A, whilst Papua New Guinea managed to claim the last spot for the playoffs in group B, largely summed up as the "Pool of death".
Namibia have had arguably the easier run to the finals but take nothing away from them they are here and mean serious business. The common point that comes to praise is Namibia's quality bowling attack. At times there batting has struggled (only passing 140 once in 7 matches) but were they have struggled the bowling has succeeded. Will this be the key factor against PNG?
PNG on the other hand has had an up and down sort of qualification, however at the end of the day they have managed to progressed out of group B. Solid performances against Kenya, Netherlands & Bermuda and a touch of bad luck against Afghanistan has shown the Barramundis potential. Stacked with devastating batsman and some more than handy quicks will PNG have too much firepower for the boys from Africa?
Key Match-ups:
Christi Viljoen vs Tony Ura
Christi Viljoen has had a wonderful past couple of matches including an economical spell against Uganda (3 overs 0-5) a tall man with a unique action can he stop the devastating Tony Ura from smashing another bowling attack to pieces.
Craig Williams vs Charles Amini
Craig Williams has always been the key man to the Namibian batting line up. He comes into this match with form and he will be looking to continue this. However Charles Amini has become PNG's go to man. The Sydney Sixer broke the partnership of J. Tucker and D.Hemp and did the same against scotland. Will williams be spun out by this young superstar?

The way I see it: (With a touch of biasness towards Papua New Guinea) This is going to be a very very close one! Both sides are desperate to get there to the world cup, but with PNG coming out of a much harder group and beating sides like the Netherlands I think they will take this one, but just. Namibia is certainly going to be fired up and will do everything they can to stop the Barras. At the end of they day only one side can progress. PNG by 2 wickets or 8 runs.