Cricket

Lewas Set for Pacific Cup in New Zealand

The Lewas, led by newly appointed captain Brenda Tau, will embark on a pre-tournament training camp in Napier, commencing their journey on January 6th before the official matches in Auckland.

Brenda Tau takes the reins from Kaia Arua, who led the Lewas with dedication for the past seven years, achieving Cricket PNG's highest T20 ranking. Arua will continue to contribute on the field, supporting Brenda in her leadership role.

Australia Stun India in World Cup Final

India had been undefeated throughout the tournament but were bowled out for 240 on the final ball of their innings before Head starred for Australia on his way to a match-winning 137 — after Australia had been reduced to 3-47 in front of an increasingly frenzied home crowd.

Head, with able support from Marnus Labuschagne (58), steadied the ship to lead Australia to victory despite falling with just two runs required.

He became the third Australian to make a century in a men's world cup final, joining Ricky Ponting (2003) and Adam Gilchrist (2007) in doing so.

Rohit Sharma hails Australia as Complete Side

The Indian captain, who's overseen a magnificent unbeaten 10-match procession towards the Ahmedabad climax, was quick to counter a questioner at his eve-of-final news conference who'd suggested Australia were no longer seen as a "dominant" side.

"I don't agree with not being dominant. They've won eight out of eight, the last eight games that they've played — and they played it really well," said Sharma.

"So, it's going to be a good contest.

"They are a very complete side."

Barramundis win first qualifier match

Vanuatu had won the toss and elected to bowl first.

However, PNG bowlers made their presence known with home ground advantage, bowling out the visitors for a paltry 71 runs in their 20 overs with eight wickets down. Vanuatu batters regularly lost wickets and struggled to score runs.

The best of PNG bowlers, John Noel Kariko (3/6 in 4 overs), was supported by Charles Amini (2/10), Norman Vanua (2/13) and Alei Nao (1/23).

The PNG batsmen chased a modest total made easy, cruising past their target one wicket down (1/75) in 6 overs.

Santos Love Cricket programme wins award

The programme is managed by Cricket PNG after it was launched in 2022. Initially rolled out in three provinces: NCD, Central, and Gulf, the programme was designed to help children develop personal skills and promote positive behaviours through the sports of Cricket.

Garamuts in training for EAP qualifier

The 14 man squad including four CPNG officials left the country in good spirits for Darwin last Friday for the lead up training camp before the ICC U19 Men’s CWC East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2023.

The Garamuts team is:

(1) Tau Trevor GRIFFIN (c), 2) Nelson PATE (vc), 3) Ware ROBIN, 4) Dauncey TOM, 5) James Frank MOMO, 6) Igo Pako MOREA, 7) Gaba FRANK, 8)Razmi Stanley BAU, 9) Methuselah WILLIAM, 10) Anthony Tamarua DAVID, 11) Suvenia Sean TAU, 12) Nao TAU, 13) Aluend Robson BOGE, 14) Martin TABOA.

The cricketing siblings

Twenty-three-year-old Hannah and her 21-year-old brother hail from East Sepik and East New Britain.

They come from a family where no one else plays cricket except them and their younger brother.

The three of them have always bonded over the sport, spending countless hours playing together.

While Gabriel has already made it to the A grade, Hannah has her sights set even higher. She dreams of playing professionally someday, and has already shown promise as a talented player.

She is known as a strong batter and a strategic bowler.

Barras miss opportunity

With both bat and ball, the Barramundis were in a position of strength to take the game but couldn’t finish off.

With the ball PNG a Chad Soper clinic had the UAE on the ropes at 5/89 but a late order rally from the Emirates saw them post a competitive 260, a target however not out of reach.

With the bat PNG had a perfect platform sitting pretty at 0/146 of 20 Overs. From there it should have been an easy victory but a string of low scores saw the Barramundis collapse and the UAE roar to victory by 21 runs.

PNG a rising force in women's cricket as Lewas hone skills in Australia's Country Championships

The Lewas, as the national side are called, are known for their uniquely exciting playing style. 

Coach Kath Hemptenstall says the team, which includes seven mothers, has overcome significant hurdles simply to play.

"We've just got the one turf wicket in the whole country and a couple of turf nets," Hemptenstall says.

"It rains for four months of the year and we don't have any indoor facilities as well.

"When you take all that into consideration, it's pretty impressive that both our men's and women's sides have got to where they have."

 

Kapari-Viriolo Cricket kicks off

The sport is part and partial of this community since many years ago but did not happen for a long time, and so the people of Kapari-Viriolo were very happy to see it happen.

Port Moresby Konepoti CC President, Puana Agi said it is the first time for such a tournament to be hosted in the village.

He said the first three days of the tournament teams will play the normal full games with four teams in each of the two pools. That is Pool A and B.