WT20Q team preview: Papua New Guinea

Overview

The women from Papua New Guinea have become regulars at the big qualifying tournaments, and come to the Netherlands for the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier hoping to give a good account of themselves.

"Like other sides, we will arrive with a conviction that we can win the tournament. It will then depend on how we perform on match days, but I think we are ready to compete against the more experienced sides,” said Pauke Siaka, their captain.

Their first target is getting to the semi-final. "We just need to do the basics right, not look too far ahead and respect our opponents,” said Siaka.

PNG qualified for the Netherlands tournament having won all but one match in the ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifying Series East Asia-Pacific Region in April and May 2017 in Japan. They found individuals stand up to give all-round performances that counted.

The calm and composed Siaka will lead the batting, with the support of the experienced Tanya Ruma and all-rounder Sibona Jimmy. Ravini Oa, who has benefitted from the rookie programme at the Women’s Big Bash League and has been named on the Women's Global Development Squad, will be a threat with the ball, while Kaia Arua brings variety with her left-arm spin.

A majority of the ladies on the team are from Hanuabada, the village that is the centre of PNG cricket, so there’s a strong bond in the team. A good number of them are mothers, balancing work, family and their passion for the sport.

Having not played too many matches against international opponents recently, they’ll want to quickly get up to speed.

History in the WWT20

PNG participated in the WWT20 Qualifier for the first time in 2015. There was celebration as the team won the fifth-place play-off for the Shield final against China. They are yet to make it to the main event.

Player to watch out for

Tanya Ruma has been one of the team’s leading batters, scoring 131 in the regional qualifier, including a half-century against Japan. She was player of the match in their 2015 final, showing an ability to dig in when needed in the chase. She can also pitch in with the ball when her team needs it.

Squad: Pauke Siaka (c), Natasha Ambol, Vicky Ara'a, Kaia Arua, Helen Buruka (wk), Veru Kila Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Kopi John, Ravini Oa, Tanya Ruma, Brenda Tau (wk), Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua, Naoani Vare.

Schedule

7 July: v Bangladesh
8 July: v UA
10 July: v Netherlands