PNG SIALES TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR ICC U19 WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP EAST ASIA PACIFIC (EAP) QUALIFIER

·         PAUKE SIAKA JOINS COACHING TEAM THANKS TO THE ICC 100% CRICKET FUTURE LEADERS EAP COACHING PROGRAMME

·         PACIFICAUS SPORTS SUPPORTS SIALES’ PREPARATION

Cricket PNG (“CPNG”) has announced the PNG Siales U19 Team to the ICC U19 WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP EAP QUALIFIER to be held in Bali, Indonesia from the 12th to 21st of May 2024. The PNG U19 Siales depart Port Moresby on the 7th of May 2024 and will prepare for five additional days in Bali before the event starts. The team is:

Dika LOHIA               Captain

Margaret WARI

Oala KEVERE

Duna ALEX

Lakshmi RAJADURAI

Esther VAGI

Dadina GAUDI

Gabe THOMAS

Warimo EWANA

Veavu GEREA

Nancy KONE

Winnie OA

Ravu PALA

Loa RANU

CPNG also announced the coaching staff supporting the team during the 9-day event. Current PNG Lewas batter, Pauke Siaka, joins the staff under a new and exciting ICC 100% Cricket Future Leaders EAP Coaching Programme to develop female coaches. Pauke has had a great career as a Lewas player, and her form in the current Isuzu T20 Smash shows us that there is plenty of international playing time ahead of her. CPNG hopes to keep her in the game for much longer than and share her knowledge with future players. The full staff is:

Nao KAMEA                        Team Manager

Mahuru DAI                        Siales Coach

David DREW                      Lewas Coach

Pauke SIAKA                       Assistant Coach

Daphney SIAMOLI            Physiotherapist

PNG Siales Coach, Mahuru Dai said, “Our players have been training hard demonstrating their exceptional skills and commitment to excellence. The dedication shown by each team player during practice sessions has been nothing short of inspiring! We are not just ready; we are poised to represent our country with pride and determination. This tour presents an opportunity for growth, learning and showcasing the talent that our team nurtures.

Our goal is to return with accomplishments that reflect the hard work invested by everyone involved from players to support staff, administration and the board who make it all possible.”

The PNG Siales have been gaining critical game time in the current Women’s Isuzu T20 Smash in Port Moresby playing alongside the more senior and experienced PNG Lewas and visiting Australian marquee players. The final will be at Amini Park on Saturday 4th May, just three days before the team departs.

PNG Siales Captain, Dika Lohia said, “I am grateful and honoured to be the captain for the PNG U19 Siales. I know it’s a great opportunity for me to lead the side to Bali, Indonesia for this Women’s U19 World Cup Qualifier. This will be a great experience for us young girls to play against the world’s best. I know that our girls are ready and have been well prepared by our coaches for the past two months. This is also a great learning tournament for us young girls. We are excited and looking forward to this tournament!”

Papua New Guinea will play against Fiji, Samoa and host nation, Indonesia, in a double round-robin tournament , with the winner qualifying for a spot in the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup to be hosted in Malaysia and Thailand 2025. The full schedule is:

Cricket PNG CEO, Richard Done said, “Our U19 Siales have performed creditably against more senior players during the Isuzu T20 Smash, and this should be ideal preparation. However, their journey started in late 2023 when they were supported by PacificAus Sports to play in the Cricket Australia U19 Nationals. We are grateful for that support and look forward to our girls having a successful qualifying event and going on to play in the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in 2025.

29/04/24-Ends.

Further Information: Hennah Joku hjoku@cricketpng.org or WhatsApp +675 73894781