Papua New Guinea

Country: Papua New Guinea
Code: PNG
History
Fixtures
Players
Venues

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) cricket team, affectionately known as the Barramundis, represents a country where cricket is making significant strides in a landscape dominated by other sports like rugby and Australian rules football. Established in 1972, the team is administered by Cricket PNG and has gradually carved out a niche for itself on the international stage.

Though PNG is relatively new to cricket's upper echelons, their journey through the ranks of Associate and Affiliate membership is commendable. One of their major milestones was achieving One Day International (ODI) status in 2014 after performing admirably in the ICC World Cup Qualifier. This achievement marked a significant breakthrough, allowing them to compete more fiercely on the international scene.

Among their memorable achievements, PNG qualified for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2020, a first for the team, which heralded their arrival on the global stage, though the tournament was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Players like Assad Vala, the captain and a pivotal figure in both batting and bowling, have been instrumental in the team's progress. Another key player is Tony Ura, known for his explosive batting at the top order, and Charles Amini, whose all-round abilities add depth to the squad.

PNG's style of play is characterised by an infectious enthusiasm and athleticism. The team is known for its dynamic fielding and spirited performances. Their strengths often lie in their ability to mount swift counter-attacks with the bat and maintain pressure with disciplined bowling.

Matches against fellow Pacific Island teams such as Vanuatu have become somewhat of a local derby, laden with regional pride and cultural significance. The PNG-Vanuatu match-ups often draw considerable interest due to their competitive spirit and shared historical ties.

While not having a definitive home stadium, Amini Park in the capital, Port Moresby, serves as a popular venue for their home games. The fan culture is vibrant yet casual, with cricket followers in Papua New Guinea sharing their passion for the game through local clubs and community events. Cricket here is more than just a game; it's a growing part of the cultural fabric that brings communities together, celebrating sportsmanship and unity.

With continued development and support, the Barramundis are poised to become more significant contenders in the international cricket landscape, buoyed by a rich blend of raw talent and passionate support from their fans back home.

Assad Vala
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 38
Charles Amini
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak
Age: 33
Tony Ura
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 35
Lega Siaka
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 32
Sese Bau
Position: Middle Order Batter
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33
Kiplin Doriga
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 29
Gaudi Toka
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31
Chad Soper
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 33
Jason Kila
Position: Bowling Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 35
Damien Ravu
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31
Nosaina Pokana
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast
Age: 29
Norman Vanua
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31
Kabua Morea
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast Medium
Age: 32
Hiri Hiri
Position: Middle Order Batter
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Age: 30
Simon Atai
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Age: 26
Semo Kamea
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast
Age: 24
Riley Hekure
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 30
Alei Nao
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 31
Jack Gardner
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 24
John Kariko
Position: Bowler
Age: 22
Hila Vare
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Age: 24
Michael Charlie
Position: Batsman
Age: 25

Share this post

Subscribe to All Out Cricket

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the best cricket content delivered to your inbox every month

Latest posts

More grounds