Cricket PNG (CPNG) officially announced the HEBOU Shield men’s teams today at the Cricket PNG Office at Amini Park, Port Moresby.
Current HEBOU PNG Barramundis players Assad Vala (Mariners), Charles Amini Jnr (Black Bass), Norman Vanua (Mudmen) and Tony Ura (Cassowaries) will all captain their respective teams during the competition.
A total of 48 players have been selected, of which six are based in Lae, two in Popondetta, two in Alotau, two in Australia while the remaining players currently reside in Port Moresby.
“We are delighted and excited to have the best 48 male cricketers in PNG during the 2018 edition of the Hebou Shield,” said CPNG Director of Cricket, Gayan Loku.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the players who are currently outside of the Hebou PNG Barramundis setup to showcase their skill with and against the best cricketers in the country. This includes the players in Lae, Alotau and Popondetta who have impressed in their respective local competitions and have flown in to take part in the Hebou Shield.”
The HEBOU Shield will also feature all the current Hebou PNG Barramundis along with eight members of the Hebou PNG U19 Garamuts that competed in the 2018 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. The four team competition is the toughest domestic cricket competition and all four team captains are chomping at the bit to bring the trophy home.
“I am looking forward to the Hebou Shield to begin. We have a good coach in Kila Pala as well and we are talking with all the boys on what strategies we need to employ to win the tournament," said Assad Vala, Captain of Mariners.
“This is my first time as captain and I can't wait to lead my team to victory in the Hebou Shield. We've got a good mix of players and hopefully we can win all our games on the way,” said Charles Jordan Amini Jr, Captain of Black Bass.
“This is my first time as captain too. I am honoured to be in this position as national team coach Joe Dawes speaks about me taking a leadership role within the team and I have always dreamed of one day, even captaining the Hebou PNG Barramundis (winks at Assad Vala and says no offence). Hopefully I can show some good traits as a captain at the Hebou Shield this year," said Norman Vanua, Captain of Mudmen.
“I am very proud to be the captain of the Cassowaries. The team will work hard and work together to put on a proper challenge for the trophy. At the end of the day, we all want to win the Shield and our team will give it our 100 percent,” said Tony Ura.
The 2018 HEBOU Shield Men’s Competition will take place across seven days from Monday 23rd July to Sunday 5th August, featuring four teams, the best male cricketers in PNG in a T20 format with all matches to be played at the Home of Cricket in PNG – Amini Park.
The HEBOU Shield will kick off with Mariners taking on Black Bass in the morning match with the Mudmen taking on the Cassowaries in the afternoon match at Amini Park.
At the completion of the HEBOU Shield, the Hebou PNG Barramundis that will compete at the ICC World T20 East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier ‘A’ in Fiji in August will be named.
2018 HEBOU Shield Men’s Teams
2018 HEBOU Shield Men’s Fixtures
Day 1: Monday 23rd July, 2018
9:00am Mariners vs Black Bass
1:00pm Mudmen vs Cassowaries
Day 2: Wednesday 25th July, 2018
9:00am Mariners vs Cassowaries
1:00pm Black Bass vs Cassowaries
Day3: Friday 27th July, 2018
9:00am Mariners vs Mudmen
1:00pm Mariners vs Black Bass
Day 4: Monday 30th July, 2018
9:00am Black Bass vs Mudmen
1:00pm Black Bass vs Cassowaries
Day 5: Wednesday 1st August, 2018
9:00am Mudmen vs Cassowaries
1:00pm Mudmen vs Mariners
Day 6: Friday 3rd August, 2018
9:00am Black Bass vs Mudmen
1:00pm Mariners vs Cassowaries
Day 7: Sunday 5th August, 2018
1:00pm Grand Final