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Papua New Guinea has just one grass cricket pitch, but that hasn’t stopped the country’s women’s team from climbing to 12th in the world Twenty20 rankings.
Lewat, as the national side is called, is known for its uniquely exciting style of play.
Coach Kath Hemptenstall says the team, which includes seven mothers, has overcome significant obstacles simply to play.
“We have exactly one lawn coal in the whole country and a couple of lawn nets,” Hemptenstall says.
– It rains four months a year, and we don’t have indoor spaces either.
“Taking all of that into account, it’s pretty impressive that both the men’s and women’s sides have gotten to where they are.”
COVID-19 hit Lewas hard, with the team not playing an international game for almost three years before the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in September last year.
Still, PNG finished fifth out of eight teams, beating Scotland, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Lewas batter Tanya Ruma was the highest run scorer in the competition with an average of 49.5.
Captain Kaiya Arua says he is also proud that their team hit the most sixes.
“We just have a mindset,” he says.
“You can see that most of us are really small, we’re not that big of a side, we just have the strength and courage to do what we believe we can.”
However, the PNG players know they need game time to improve further.
That’s why they see their invitation to this week’s Australian Country Championships in Canberra as crucial.
The Lewa will play at least eight matches during the five-day tournament, which will include state national teams and an ACT team.
“High risk, high reward” style
The special talent of PNG players is always on display when they play.
Hemptenstall explains his skill at playing games in the villages.
“I would probably best describe these girls as backyard cricketers,” she says.
“They’re incredibly skilled, they’ve got all the tricks of the trade and they hit like they’re going to hit again sometimes in five minutes, which is a bit worrying.
“They definitely play with a lot of passion and enjoyment; we have more of a risk-reward game plan.”
Players are also resourceful.
Isabel Toua switched from medium pace bowling to leg cycling and learned by watching Shane Warne’s videos on YouTube.
The team’s goal is to qualify for the Twenty20 World Cup and get a player into the Australian Women’s Big Bash League.
Off the field, they are also trailblazers for PNG women.
“Our job is to be in the kitchen and do all that for the good of the house,” says Arua.
“I think cricket helps us think that we can do anything that men can do.”
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Sources 2/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-17/png-womens-cricket-team-joins-australian-championships/101859626 The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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