Cricket Australia

The Barras, who qualified for last year's T20 World Cup in the UAE, are currently taking part in this month's Top End T20 tournament where veteran batter Tony Ura last night whacked a 27-ball 50.

Former Perth Scorchers seamer and Lewas head coach, Kath Hempenstall, said there was certainly some untapped cricketing talent within PNG.

Australia won its maiden T20 title, defeating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the title match. 

The Kiwi team had set a target of 173 runs for victory, which the Aussies achieved with seven balls to spare.

Following the win by Australia in the final in the early hours of Monday morning, they will take home a cool $2.2 million dollars, while runners-up New Zealand will pocket $1.1 million.

Warner, Australia captain Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft were punished for the roles they played in the plot to alter the condition of the ball in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March, with Warner and Smith suspended for a year and Bancroft for nine months.

And that was the exact opportunity Papua New Guinean pacer Ravini Oa was afforded when she was chosen for the Women’s Big Bash League Rookie Placement with the Perth Scorchers.

The ICC Rookie Placement Programme in collaboration with Cricket Australia, is aimed at developing of the women’s game through the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). This is the 3rd edition of this program and the second time Oa has been selected to participate.

She is one of 8 players selected.

In Papua New Guinea, Cricket Australia has entered into agreements with both free-to-air operators for the next two years: NBC PNG for the Australian men’s and women’s internationals, and EMTV for the KFC Big Bash League.

“This is wonderful news for the cricketing loving public of Papua New Guinea, who will now have the opportunity to watch some of the best international cricket on free-to-air TV,” said Cricket PNG Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Greg Campbell.  

Embattled Smith and Australia are under pressure following Saturday's stunning capitulation in Hobart after they were bowled out for just 85 on day one of the second Test against South Africa.

Smith's name has been thrown under the spotlight amid calls for wholesale changes after Australia's 177-run defeat in the opening Test, with the Aussies now staring at a fifth consecutive defeat.

But Sutherland insists the 27-year-old Smith, who finished 48 not out as his team were skittled, is the right man to lead Australia.