Garamuts off to Japan for World Cup Qualifier
The
national men’s U19 Garamuts leave for Japan this Friday in Pursuit of a World
Cup berth in South Africa in 2020. They will compete in a five nation
tournament against fellow East Asia Pacific nations with the winner earning a
place in the U19 50 over World Cup early next year.
Going
into the event as favourites, after making eight of the last nine under age
World Cups they will play four games in the round robin event against Japan,
Samoa, Vanuatu, and Fiji. Their opening game will be on Sunday where they take
on Fiji at the Japan Cricket Association headquarters in Sano, three hours out
of Tokyo.
Coach
and former Barramundi, Kila Pala has high expectations for this tournament “the
boys have been working hard all year and we hope to emulate the 2018 Garamuts
who went through this corresponding tournament undefeated”
Pala
will be assisted on this tour by current Barramundi all-rounder Norman Vanua,
who brings a wealth of experience to the group not only in his technical skills
but also teaching the Garamuts about competition pressure and managing expectations,
especially after his own experiences with the Barras recently.
Greg
Campbell, Cricket PNG CEO said “we know the boys will face challenges over
there, it is a very different environment but we are confident we have the team
to get the job done, that all the hard work on their fitness and technique will
pay off and that the Garamuts will get their opportunity to play in a World Cup
next year”
The
Full Squad is
1) Barnabas Maha (captain)
2) Eisa Eka (vice-captain)
3) Varigini Pokana
4) Hila Vare
5) Mavara Hekure
6) Herea Kilapat
7) Frank Ani
8) Guba Seura
9) Keith Griffin
10) Noka Aporo
11) Eddie Tau
12) Govea Airi
13) Sema Kamea
14) Luwelu Sila
Coach:
Kila Pala
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