The Hebou PNG Barramundis squad that will tour Australia this month was announced today at Amini Park, Port Moresby.
The 14-man squad will be once again led by Assad Vala. The majority of the squad are Port Moresby based players.
Chad Soper (Sydney, Australia) and Nosiana Pokana (Canberra, Australia) are the only two players in the squad who are based outside PNG.
Soper is currently playing Sydney 1st Grade Cricket for Gordon CC while Pokana is playing for East Lake CC in Canberra as a part of the Cricket PNG (CPNG) Player Scholarship Program.
Right-arm leg spin bowler from Hanuabada village, Vagi Boko Kora is the only uncapped Barramundis player named in the squad.
CPNG’s Chairman of Selectors, Daniel Faunt said he was excited about the upcoming tour.
“These matches provide us with a terrific opportunity to play against high calibre Australian teams which will only aid our continued development.
“The NSW second XI matches will involve the best fringe players from that state and some established Sheffield Shield players and will be a good gauge for Cricket PNG,” said Faunt.
The Barramundis will fly to Sydney on February 6 to play three matches against a NSW XI team before travelling to Canberra where they will take on ACT XI in the curtain raiser to the main Prime Minister’s XI and Sri Lanka match on Wednesday February 15 at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
“The Prime Ministers XI curtain raiser against ACT provides a great opportunity to showcase ourselves to the Australian Cricketing public.
“This tour will also stand us in good stead as we prepare for an important set of matches in the UAE in March and for the rest of the year,” said Faunt.
HEBOU PNG Barramundis Squad:
1. Assad Vala (C)
2. Vani Vagi Morea
3. Lega Siaka
4. Tony Ura
5. Sese Bau
6. Mahuru Dai
7. Dogodo Bau (WK)
8. John Boge Reva
9. Alei Nao
10. Nosiana Pokana
11. Chad Soper
12. Willie Gavera
13. Pipi Raho
14. Vagi Boko
Officials
Dipak Patel (Head Coach)
John Ovia (Assistant Coach)
Dou Mavara (Data Analyst)
Lindsay Triggar (Physio)
Michael Pappas (S&C Coach)