A City Pharmacy PNG Lewas player has secured an ICC Rookie Placement with the Perth Scorchers for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) this 2017/18 Season.
Ravini Oa is among eight cricketers from five Member countries that will head to Australia to join each of the WBBL franchise clubs.
The two-week placement will provide the players the opportunity to experience elite cricket environments, accelerate their development through training sessions and to take back what they have learnt to their respective national teams. In addition, the rookies will also have the opportunity to take part in media and promotional activities.
Oa, who will represent Perth Scorchers, is looking forward to this experience.
“The best thing about the ICC Rookie Placement Programme is being selected to play and train with experienced female cricketers, who have participated in World Cups and being part of the Perth Scorchers Team,” said Oa.
The ICC Rookie Placement Programme is in collaboration with Cricket Australia to invest in the development of the women’s game through the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2017/2018.
This will be Oa’s second ICC Rookie Placement.
In the WBBL 01 during the 2015/16 Season, Norma Ovasuru secured a Rookie Placement with Brisbane Heat while in WBBL 02 during the 2016/17 Season, Konio Oala (Sydney Thunder) and Ravini Oa (Adelaide Strikers) secured their Rookie Placements.
Members outside of those competing in the ICC Women’s Championship and have qualified for the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2018 were offered the opportunity to nominate players for the program.
ICC’s Women Cricket officer, Holly Colvin, highlights the importance of programs like these for upcoming cricketers.
“It is fantastic to collaborate once again with the Women’s Big Bash League which provides an unrivalled opportunity to eight rising stars competing outside of the ICC Women’s Championship in a professional elite environment.
“The players can train alongside the very best and accelerate their development. This is an exciting time for the game and this investment assists us with growing the game across the world.”
Head of Big Bash, Kim McConnie, said she was delighted to be able to work with the ICC on such a fantastic project.
“The WBBL has gone from strength to strength and it’s pleasing to again have the ICC’s support in making this initiative possible.
“Women’s cricket across the globe is continuing to advance and having players from non-traditional cricket countries training and potentially playing with each of the WBBL clubs provides the opportunity for them to learn from some of the world’s best players.
“Last year we saw Ireland’s Kim Garth become the first rookie to represent their club and she ended up being part of the Sydney Sixers championship winning side, so we are excited to see what this year’s rookies have to offer.”
(Ravini Oa bowling in the 2018 ICC WWT20 EAP Qualifier in Sano, Japan)