The Hebou PNG Barramundis squad that will play Scotland in next month’s Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket League Championship fixtures was announced this week.
The 14-man squad will once again be led by Assad Vala with former Australian Test cricketer, Jason Gillespie being in charge of his first ICC sanctioned event as Cricket PNG’s consultant coach.
The squad is made up of 12 players from the Port Moresby Cricket Association, Chad Soper who is currently based in Australia and for the first time, Damien Ravu from the Lae Cricket Association.
The ICC and WCLC fixtures will be played at Amini Park in Port Moresby from October 1-8.
CPNG’s chairman of Selectors, Daniel Faunt, was excited with the announcement of the squad.
"The selectors believe we have picked a squad of players capable of delivering on our objective, which is primarily to cement our place in the World Cup Qualifiers.
“We have largely retained the core group of players who have served us well over the past 12 months with the notable exception of Willie Gavera, who has been replaced by Damien Ravu.
“Willie was unable to tour Queensland and NT due to visa issues and as a consequence, we felt he has not had sufficient match practice for the Scotland series.
“Damien's selection reflects his considerable talent and continued development as well as the selectors’ desire to build our depth as we look to the future. This change does not affect the balance of the squad which we believe remains appropriate for this series," said Faunt.
The ICUP fixture will be played from October 1-4 with play commencing at 10am each day.
The two WCLC fixtures will be staged on October 6 and October 8 with play commencing at 9:30am on each day.
The Hebou PNG Barramundis:
1. Assad Vala (Captain)
2. Jack Vare-Kevere
3. Vani Vagi Morea
4. Lega Siaka
5. Tony Ura
6. Sese Bau
7. Mahuru Dai
8. Damien Ravu
9. John Boge Reva
10. Alei Nao
11. Nosiana Pokana
12. Norman Vanua
13. Chad Soper
14. Dogodo Bau