PNG Aim for 6th Pacific Games Gold
Cricket PNG have dispelled rumours that the Pacific Games isn't important by naming a strong senior men's squad to defend the gold won the last games.
Whilst the team is not a full Hebou Barramundi's group, it does contain eight players who represented the Hebou Barramundi's in 2011.
Cricket PNG have confirmed their confidence to defend their Gold Medal title in the 14th South Pacific Games which will be held in Noumea, New Caledonia starting in two weeks.
They have announced a fourteen man squad full of youth and experience for the Pacific games and have the confidence that the boys have prepared well to defend their Gold Medal title.
PNG have won Gold Medal in all five Pacific Games since 1979 where Cricket was first introduced.
The players from the current team will be looking to keep their Gold Medal winning streak in this year's event in Noumea and maintain their undefeated and champions title.
Having won Gold and Bronze at the Arafura Games in May, all players have tasted success during 2011.
The team has been working very hard in preparation for the Pacific Games with particular focus on their fitness work.
The Cricket PNG fitness coaches have being pushing the guys very hard in preparation for the games. Garry Gill the fitness coordinator who has been in country for about 3 months now said:
"The PNG cricketers have the natural ability to play world class cricket but their level of fitness has to be maintained to compliment this natural ability."
He made special mention to the fitness of the key players in Assad Vala and Tony Ura who have been working very hard on their fitness in the last 3 months. These players have displayed their class on the cricket field with their dominance in the recently completed ICC T/20 event in June 2011.
Assad took out the batsman of the tournament while Tony Ura won the player of the Tournament award. Tony and Assad will lead the Cricket PNG batting attack again for the Pacific Games. Both players are powerful hitters and timers of the ball and can play a classy innings on their day.
"I am confident that the boys will be bringing home the gold medal for the sixth time. The boys are doing everything right in our preparation to make sure we don't lose our focus from the gold medal," said Rarua Dikana who will be coaching the team.
"We are aware that we have the favourites tag on our back but we are not going to take any side lightly as we know that they have also been working hard for these games," said Rarua a two time gold medal wining captain for Cricket PNG. "However, we don't want to spend too much time worrying about our opponents, but rather worry about our own games and how to execute our game plans well. I expect our batsmen to dominate in the tournament as T/20 matches is all about compiling as many runs as you can to put pressure on the opposition. Our Bowling has always been successful in international tournaments and we are going expect our bowling group to once again lead from the front."
The 14th Pacific Games will include teams from New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu. The two latter teams also competed in ICC EAP T20 tournament in which the Hebou Barramundis dominated.
Cricket PNG has selected mostly an Emerging A team containing a strong blend of players who have tasted international cricket in the past. These players have previously played in U/19s World Cups and also WCL tournaments, thereby, the players understand the importance putting on the Black, Red and Gold jumpers and representing PNG.
The team will be lead by Jack Vare who is expected to benefit from the experience. Jack has been given the opportunity to lead the team in the absence of the current captain who will be travelling with the team as the coach.
The Cricket PNG Emerging A team for the 15th Pacific Games is:
Jack Vare (Captain)
Joel Tom
Assad Vala
Tony Ura
John Boge Reva
Vani Vagi Morea
Kapena Arua
Pipi Raho
Inoa Baeau
Jason Kila
Jacob Mado
Mahuta Kivung
Heni Siaka
Vali Albert
Coach: Rarua Dikana
Assistant Coach: Peter Moide
Team Manager: Mairi Homosi