Cricket PNG

I have just completed Grade 11 at the Port Moresby Grammar School; that was one part of training that was hard for me but I just go to school and after school, I join the boys in training.

Usually the U19 team would train for at least six months, but for us it’s shorter than that.

As with other countries participating in the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup, the global pandemic has caused the unfortunate short and unconventional timeframe for the U19 team to train. 

However, we have taken on the challenge with guts and grit. 

On the eve of their departure for the ICC U19 World Cricket Tournament in the West Indies tomorrow Saturday January 1, 2022, players and team officials were relieved when they got the news. They can now focus on the upcoming world event.

According to Cricket PNG Warden and Games Development Manager Margret Sibona, the team is in quarantine at the Hilton Hotel. They fly out tomorrow.

She said the boys have adhered to the 4 testing processes and procedures with all returning negative results.

PNG Cricket stalwart and National Talent ID Manager Rodney Maha has been given the role to take charge of the team for their maiden world cup campaign.

Heading to ICC U19 World Cup in the West Indies is a dream come true for the 15 young talented cricketers that make up the final PNG U19 squad.

The official announcement of the final travelling squad was made early this week. The team, including two non-traveling reserves, will be captained by Barnabas Maha.

This is young Maha’s 2^nd time to lead as captain.

However due to the effects of the pandemic, a lot of schools did not participate in the program last year and this year.

Last week boys and girls from Pari Elementary took to the Colts Cricket Pitch to try out their cricket talents and skills with some amazing displays on show.

The young students had the whole day to themselves, testing out their raw cricket talents and skills while being taught the fundamentals of batting, bowling and fielding.

Cricket PNG said the frequent rainfall has led to extensive surface flooding at Amini Park.

“Having this match to kick off our season in 2022 does give us an exciting start to our new season,” added CPNG.

“This is an important fixture for Cricket PNG and we will be playing it with the same coaches and players in 2022.”

Hanuabada Selection XI: Raho Sam, Vani Vagi Morea, Sese Bau, Allen Joseph, Hila Vare, Simon Atai, John Boge Reva, Gaudi Toka, Alei Nao, Riley Hekure, Kabua Vagi, Sema Kamea. Coach John Ovia

The two teams were selected by coaches John Ovia and Jack Vare based on form through the Village Premire League 2021. 

In addition to being the first winners of the Veari Maha Shield, the winning team will win K3,250 while the Player of the Match is sponsored by Hilton Port Moresby.

The Veari Maha Shield is named after the late Veari Maha, who hailed from Alukuni Village in the Hood Lagoon area of Central Province. 

He was the third chair of the Papua New Guinea Cricket Board. 

He was chair from 1986 – 2001. 

Due to COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions to regular school term breaks this year, only a handful of schools in NCD and Central Province were able to participate in the 2021 program.

Boys and girls between the ages of 8-10 from Pari Elementary school and teachers had a fun day taking part in the BSP Schools Cricket Bast games at the Colts ground.

These blasts introduced children as early as in elementary level to the game of cricket, teaching the fundamentals such as batting, bowling and fielding including the rules.

This is one of the new initiatives of Cricket PNG to create pathways for more high level cricket to be played at the domestic level which can be used as a springboard to raise standards and make the game more competitive.

The two teams were picked from the inaugural Village Premier League Tournament played over the weekend at the Amini Park and officially announced by Cricket PNG General Manager,Tony Naidu at the post match grand final presentation on Sunday.

According to Cricket PNG’s General Manager, Tony Naidu, they are now looking at other options adding they are now in the process of organizing alternative tournaments in Australia and the Pacific shortly, for the Lewas.

Naidu said the Lewas will regroup mid for training and if all goes well, they be traveling by early January, 2022.

While there’s no women’s world cup next, there’s already ongoing meetings with ICC and Cricket Australia, including government officials to get the girls to Australia early next year for some high level tournaments.

Cricket PNG General Manager Tony Naidu on behalf of the tournament organizing committee and sponsors announced the success of the Village Premier League Tournament, saying it will come back bigger and better in 2022.

Naidu said the concept and idea of involving former and current Barra players, U19 Garamuts and PNG resident Indian, Sri Lankan and Pakistani nationals’ added class, skills, experience and excitement to the whole tournament. Naidu’s simple conclusions was ‘It’s world class cricket played at a domestic level’.