CRICKET PNG is excited to announce the new Selection Panel which held its first meeting yesterday at Cricket Haus, Cricket PNG’s headquarters at Amini Park. The Panel will have the responsibility for selecting all Cricket PNG senior and U19 teams and squads, as well as playing a critical role in the player contracting process.
The selectors are expected to attend as many relevant international, national, zonal, and club fixtures to ensure they can complete their roles effectively.
The three new selectors have strong backgrounds in cricket in PNG and include a mix of former PNG representative players and administrators with close links to Cricket PNG member associations, including the Port Moresby Cricket Association, in whose competitions most of our national players participate. The new selectors, and their primary roles are:
Jamie Brazier – Men’s Selector
Konio Elly – Women’s Selector
Hudson Leka – Youth Selector
Chair of Cricket PNG, Michael Harrison, said, “2025 is a big year for the country, and another big year for cricket in PNG. The new selectors will bring fresh viewpoints to the table, and we look forward to implementing a much more robust talent identification program to drive the game forward at U19 and eventually senior levels. I’d also like to thank the outgoing selectors, David Bishop, Chris Amini, Udu Vai and Rodney Maha for their service on the National Selection Panel.”
The new Selection Panel’s first task was to select the Garamuts Training squad for the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Division 1 Qualifier from April 22 to April 30, 2025, to be held at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Japan.
Garamuts Ready for the Challenge – Manager and Coach Appointed The Garamuts earned their place in Division 1 after an undefeated run at the EAP Division 2 Qualifier in Samoa in September 2024.
Cricket PNG is proud to announce the appointments of Richard Leka, as Team Manager, with Kila Pala, who previously coached the Garamuts in 2017. The returning Head Coach shared his enthusiasm about the team’s preparation with focus on getting training started. Only challenge was Port Moresby’s current weather on the training ground but has reiterated team focus on getting the smaller details right to be ready to achieve the big goal in Japan.
Garamuts Training Squad Announced:
Aluend Robson Boge
Anthony Tamarua David
Dauncey Tom
David Taraka
Frank Collin Naime
Gaba Frank
Igo Pako Morea
Kevin Minia
Lekwa Henao Nao
Miria Griffin
Nou Geita
Oala Puka
Puka John Raho
Rarua Dikana Jr
Ronnie Paul
Sam Momo
Stuart Morea
Toua Boga Nou
Vagi Vani Morea
Vincent Navu
Wallace Nou
Ware Robin
William Frank
Cricket PNG congratulates those players selected in the Squad, which includes the 14 standout players from the Division 2 Qualifier, alongside additional fringe players who will have the opportunity to impress selectors ahead of the final squad announcement.
Cricket PNG looks forward to seeing the Garamuts excel on the international stage as they continue their journey towards the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026.
Notable performers included from the Division 2 Qualifier Team:
Dauncy Tom – Named Player of the Tournament and Batter of the Tournament, showcasing outstanding skills.
Gaba Frank – Scouted by former Australian cricketer David Gilbert, leading to an opportunity with Western Suburbs Cricket Club (Sydney) for the 2024–2025 season.
Frank Collin Naime and Vagi Vani Morea – Both named in the Division 2 Team of the
Tournament, contributing significantly to the Garamuts’ win.
Japan to Host ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Division 1 Qualifier
This highly anticipated tournament will feature three countries; Papua New Guinea (Garamuts), Japan, and Fiji, with the winning team earning a coveted spot at the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Teams are scheduled to arrive in Japan on Tuesday, April 22, with matches kicking off on Thursday, April 24, and concluding on Tuesday, April 29. The round-robin format will see each team face off twice, with one match played per day.
The full tournament schedule, along with details on how to follow the matches live, will be announced in due course.
Japan Cricket’s Head of Cricket Operations, Alan Curr said, “This is the first time our Japan Under 19 team will be in action on home soil since the memorable event in 2019 when we last qualified for a World Cup.
We hope this new group of players can take inspiration from that achievement and build
on the excellent progress they have made to earn their own chance to play the best in the world.”
