Cricket PNG announced the Lewas squad to tour Scotland August 25- Sept 8th for their ICC T20 Women’s World Cup Qualifier to be held in Dundee.
Their pool matches will be against Bangladesh, USA and hosts Scotland, with the top two through to the semifinals. The other pool consists of Ireland, Thailand, Netherlands and Namibia; the two teams that reach the grand final will win a place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year.
Coach Rarua Dikana, while announcing the team, said: “It is always a difficult job for the selectors getting the team balance right but I am very confident that this squad will be successful. The senior players showed very good form in the Curtain Bros Smash with Brenda Tau leading the batting figures and Sibona Jimmy the best bowler in that tournament.
“We welcome back Konio Oala who won player of the tournament in the Smash with a great all round performance and Narela Ila gets her chance to debut in Scotland.”
The full squad is
Kaia Arua (Captain) Ravini Oa (Vice Capt) Tanya Ruma (Vice Capt) Kila Frank
Brenda Tau Mairi Tom Vicky Araá Isabel Toua
Natasha Ambo Gari Buruka Sibona Jimmy
Konio Oala Narela Ila Naoani Vare
The Curtain Bros T20 Smash Grand Final was played on Sunday in front of a very appreciative crowd witnessing the best female cricketers in a very close and fitting grand final.
The top of the table Ela Motors Cassowaries batted first with Sibona Jimmy 35, Kaia Arua 18 and Isabel Toua 16 not out pushed the Cassowaries total up to 5/128 off their 20 overs. Henao Thomas led the BSP Black Bass bowling with 3/25 off her 4 overs.
In reply, the BSP Black Bass kept the run rate in check with Helen Buruka 39 and Captain Tanya Ruma 41 not out combining to put the win within reach. However, some tight bowling and an excellent spell by the RPYC player of the match Sibona Jimmy 3/13 restricted the final score to 3/117.
Lewas and Cassowaries Captain Kaia Arua, speaking after the game, said: “It was a very exciting final. We are proud to win the Curtain Bros shield, this has been a good competition to get our players ready for Scotland where we want to win a place in next year’s World Cup.”
The Lewas leave for Brisbane this Friday where they will play against the Brisbane Heat before heading to Scotland on Sunday night.