Papua New Guinea Cricket gears up for the 2024 T20 World Cup with a blend of experience and exciting young talent. Led by the ever-reliable Assad Vala, the 15-man squad boasts a core group from the 2021 campaign, bolstered by the return of impactful players and the introduction of a promising newcomer. Get the full lowdown on PNG’s team, including the coaching staff, captaincy, designated grounds for their matches, and a complete list of the players vying for glory on the world stage!
The Papua New Guinea men’s national cricket team, nicknamed the Barramundis, is the team that represents the country of Papua New Guinea in international cricket. The team is organized by Cricket PNG, which has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1973. Papua New Guinea previously had One-Day International (ODI) status, which it gained by finishing fourth in 2014 World Cup Qualifier.
PNG achieved ODI (One Day International) status in 2014 after a strong showing in the World Cup Qualifier. They played their first ODI match in 2014 against Hong Kong. Unfortunately, they lost their ODI status in 2018 but regained it in 2019 after another impressive performance in the World Cricket League.
Papua New Guinea Cricket Team Players, Current squad
This is Papua New Guinea team for T20 World Cup 2024 Team, Papua New Guinea Cricket Team Players for other Tournament like Cricket World Cup.
| Name | Age | Batting style | Bowling style | Forms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batters | |||||
| Sese Bau | 31 | Left-handed | Right-arm medium | ODI & T20I | |
| Tony Ura | 34 | Right-handed | ODI & T20I | ||
| Lega Siaka | 31 | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | ODI & T20I | |
| Hiri Hiri | 29 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | ODI | |
| Gaudi Toka | 29 | Left-handed | Right-arm medium | ODI | |
| All-rounders | |||||
| Assad Vala | 36 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | ODI & T20I | |
| Norman Vanua | 30 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ODI & T20I | |
| Charles Amini | 32 | Left-handed | Right-arm leg break | ODI & T20I | |
| Chad Soper | 32 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ODI & T20I | |
| Simon Atai | 24 | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | T20I | |
| Wicket-keepers | |||||
| Kiplin Doriga | 28 | Right-handed | ODI | ||
| Hila Vare | 22 | Left-handed | T20I | ||
| Spin Bowler | |||||
| John Kariko | 20 | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | ODI | |
| Pace Bowlers | |||||
| Riley Hekure | 29 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ODI & T20I | |
| Semo Kamea | 22 | Left-handed | Left-arm fast | ODI & T20I | |
| Kabua Morea | 30 | Right-handed | Left-arm medium | ODI & T20I | |
| Alei Nao | 30 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ODI & T20I | |
| Damien Ravu | 30 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | T20I | |
Papua New Guinea Squad For T20 World Cup 2024
- Assad Vala (c)
- CJ Amini (vc)
- Alei Nao
- Chad Soper
- Tony Ura
- Norman Vanua
- Jack Gardner
- Charles Amini
- Sewali Tau
- Hiri Hiri Tau
- Gaudi Toka
- Leslie Amini
- Daure Aiga
- Kiplin Doriga
- Lahane Pau
Current Papua New Guinea Ranking in Different Formats
- ODIs: As of May 20, 2024, Papua New Guinea is ranked 22nd in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League and ODI Team Rankings.
- T20Is: The ICC uses ODI rankings to determine seeding for the T20 World Cup. Since PNG is ranked 22nd in ODIs, this provides an indication of their potential standing in the upcoming T20 World Cup.pen_spark
Who is Captain of Papua New Guinea Cricket Team?
Papua New Guinea Cricket Team Led by:
The Captain of the Papua New Guinea Cricket Team is Assad Vala. He will be leading the Barramundis in the upcoming 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Team manager | Richard Done |
| Head coach | Tatenda Taibu |
| Batting coach | Tony Duff |
| Bowling coach | Dipak Narshibhai Patel |
| Fielding coach | Dipak Patel |
| Physiotherapist | Siyih Johang |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Meiling Choong |
Papua New Guinea Cricket team Home Ground?
- Amini Park, Port Moresby: This is a historic ground and the headquarters of Cricket PNG. It has hosted international matches in the past, including matches featuring the PNG men’s and women’s teams.
- Oval Grounds in Major Cities: Several major cities in Papua New Guinea have oval grounds that can be used for hosting domestic cricket matches and potentially smaller international tournaments.
Current Top Papua New Guinea Players Ranking in Different Formats
Players ICC Ranking in different Formats names:
- Limited Resources: Since the ICC uses ODI rankings for T20 World Cup seeding, players with high ODI rankings (like those mentioned above) are likely to be PNG’s top performers in T20Is as well.
- Expert Opinions and Player Stats: Look for articles, news reports, or analyses by cricket experts who might identify PNG’s key players in T20s based on recent performances and player statistics.
What are Papua New Guinea’s biggest achievements in cricket?
- Dominant Force in the Region: PNG is undeniably the strongest team in the ICC East Asia-Pacific region. They consistently win most regional tournaments and excel at the Pacific Games, showcasing their cricketing prowess.
- Historic T20 World Cup Qualification: Qualifying for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a landmark achievement for PNG Cricket. This accomplishment signifies their dedication and progress on the international stage.
- Highest ODI Score: The Barramundis hold the record for the highest score in a One-Day International match. They amassed a staggering 572/7 against New Caledonia in 2007, a testament to their aggressive batting approach.
- World Cup Qualifier Regulars: PNG has participated in every single edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to reaching the World Cup.
- Development of Talented Players: PNG Cricket has nurtured talented players like Assad Vala (captain), Tony Ura (former captain), Charles Amini (leading wicket-taker), and Norman Vanua (opening batsman). These players have consistently contributed to the team’s success.
Papua New Guinea Cricket Team Next Fixtures 2024
- Tuesday, May 28th: Warm-up match against Oman ([venue to be confirmed])
- Friday, May 31st: Warm-up match against Namibia ([venue to be confirmed])
- Sunday, June 2nd: Group Stage match against West Indies in Providence Stadium, Guyana
- Thursday, June 6th: Group Stage match against Uganda in Providence Stadium, Guyana
- Friday, June 14th: Group Stage match against Afghanistan (Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago)
- Monday, June 17th: Group Stage match against New Zealand (Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago)
Papua New Guinea Cricket Team History
Papua New Guinea’s cricketing journey began in the early 1900s, seeded by missionaries from the London Missionary Society. These early games were a far cry from the structured matches we see today, sometimes involving teams with over 50 players! The sport initially flourished in Papuan coastal villages, where the missionaries first landed.
Cricket in Papua New Guinea (PNG) truly started to take shape with the establishment of the Papua New Guinea Cricket Association (CPNG) in 1973. This marked a turning point, providing a formal structure for the sport’s development. Since then, the Barramundis, as the PNG team is known, have become a dominant force in the East Asia-Pacific region. They consistently win most regional tournaments and excel at the Pacific Games, demonstrating their cricketing prowess.
PNG’s determination to reach the biggest stage is evident in their participation in every single edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. This unwavering commitment paid off in 2014 when they achieved ODI (One Day International) status after a strong showing in the qualifier. This was a historic moment, allowing them to compete against established cricketing nations for the first time. Their first ODI match was played against Hong Kong that same year.
Unfortunately, PNG lost their ODI status in 2018. However, their hunger for international recognition remained strong. They regained their ODI status in 2019 after another impressive performance in the World Cricket League.
The Barramundis are known for their aggressive and exciting brand of cricket, often putting on a show for their passionate fans, the “Barmy Army PNG.” The team has produced talented players who have left their mark on PNG Cricket history. These include former captains Lega Siaka and Tony Ura, as well as Charles Amini, the team’s leading wicket-taker.
Qualifying for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a landmark achievement for PNG Cricket. It signifies their dedication, progress on the international stage, and their potential to surprise some established teams with their aggressive style of play.
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