PNG CRICKET NEWS
Monday, August 10, 2015
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday that the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier will take place from 14 to 23 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The PNG U19 Garamuts will be taking part in this tournament for a chance to qualify for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.
Nepal was due to host the five-team competition, however, following a series of assessments following the recent earthquakes which devastated the country, it has been decided to relocate the event to the Malaysian capital.
In coming to this decision, the ICC coordinated with a range of local authorities, including the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
Announcing the decision, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “Due to the tragic events in Nepal in recent months, coupled with the infrastructure damage caused by the earthquakes and the ongoing relief operations, it has been decided that it would be better to relocate the tournament from Kathmandu.
“Thankfully, the Malaysian Cricket Association has offered to host the tournament, and, based on previous experience including the successful hosting of the ICC WCL Division 3 last year on short notice, we anticipate a successful event in Kuala Lumpur.
“The decision was made following discussions with CAN. In the meantime, the ICC remains committed to assisting the development of cricket in Nepal and will be discussing a range of options in this regard at its next Board meeting in October.”
The five teams competing in the event are Ireland, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and USA.
PNG Under 19 Garamuts Coach John Ovia said the team has been undergoing intense training after returning from the ICC EAP U19 Tournament in New Zealand earlier this year.
“ The boys have been undergoing rigorous weekly strength and conditioning, skills, fitness and match test sessions and from the outset it is evident that the team are fully geared up to attend the tournament in October,” Ovia said.
“I can see now in the team that the level of positivity and determination is translated to the physical sessions the boys are having and I am further confident that the boys will bring back results after the tournament,” Ovia added.
“We will go out and perform to the best of our abilities and skills come October,” Ovia concluded.
The full schedule, squads and match officials for the tournament will be released in due course.
The PNG Under 19 Garamuts have previously qualified for seven (7) ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cups- 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014
