The Australian Government through its PacificAus Sports partnership with Cricket Australia, has supported Cricket Papua New Guinea (Cricket PNG), with the PNG Lewas valuable international preparation campaign.
The PNG Lewas recently concluded their participation in the Australian Country Cricket Championships (Women’s Division) in Adelaide, where the team recorded strong performances against quality opposition and finished fifth overall.
The tournament provided critical high-performance match exposure and proved an ideal lead into the T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, allowing players to refine tactics, build cohesion and adapt to competitive international conditions.
Following the completion of the Australian tournament, the Lewas have transitioned directly into their final phase of preparation in Nepal, where they will compete against nine other nations in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier between 18 January to 1 February 2026. With only four teams progressing, the stakes are high, as qualification will secure a place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England in June 2026.
The Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program has played a key role in supporting the Lewas’ preparation across both phases of the campaign, including access to elite competition environments, specialist coaching support and enhanced high-performance planning.
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald, acknowledged the importance of sustained investment in women’s sport across the Pacific.
“Papua New Guinea and Australia share a strong connection through cricket, and the PNG Lewas continue to inspire both at home and across the Pacific region. The Australian Government is proud to support women’s cricket in PNG through PacificAus Sports, helping provide opportunities for elite competition, professional development and international exposure as the talented team strives for T20 World Cup qualification,” Mr McDonald said.
Cricket PNG Board Chairman Michael Harrison said the completion of the Australian tournament marked a critical milestone in the team’s pathway.
“The Australian Country Championships provided exactly the level of competition we needed at this stage of preparation. The learnings from Adelaide, combined with our transition into Nepal, place the Lewas in a strong position as they pursue a historic top-four finish and qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” he said.
Chairman of the National Selection Panel, Hudson Leka, said the squad’s performances reflected both depth and discipline.
“Selection and preparation have focused on consistency, adaptability and the ability to perform under pressure. The Australian tournament tested those qualities, and the team is now fully focused on delivering in Nepal,” he said.
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