THE Australian Government’s high performance PacificAus Sports program has supported three (3) marquee women players to participate in Cricket PNG’s ISUZU WOMEN’S T20 SMASH tournament which is currently underway in Port Moresby.
The women players are: Ruth Johnston (Hobart Hurricanes), Ellie Johnston (Brisbane Heat), and Rhiann O’Donnell (Melbourne Renegades).
The players participate in the Weber Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), an Australian domestic T20 cricket competition.
It features eight city-based franchises based in Australia’s capital cities with two clubs from Sydney, two from Melbourne, and one each from Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth.
Collectively the three marquee players bring extensive experience to the ISUZU WOMEN’S T20 SMASH while supporting local PNG players.
Ellie Johnston has been drafted with the Pei Beta Black Bass, Ruth Johnston with the Niugini Assurance Cassowaries and Rhiann O’Donnell with the Telikom Mudmen.
Ellie Johnston was raised on a dairy farm in the rural town of Kaimkillenbun, approximately 4.5 hours from Dalby, which explains her love of the outdoors, particularly camping with her cousin, and fellow marquee player, Ruth Johnston, who plays for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Her favorite primary school teacher loved cricket and thought Ellie’s natural sporting prowess would make her a talented cricketer.
Ellie went on to play school competitions and weekend tournaments in Toowoomba.
Now the right-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner travels across the country representing the Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League.
Now she joins the Pei Beta Black Bass in CPNG’s premier T20 competition.
Rhiann O’Donnell’s journey has been one of perseverance and resilience.
Out of the game and living in Mildura throughout the 2020 winter, O’Donnell made the off-season move from Plenty Valley to Melbourne, travelling 542km each way to give herself the best possible chance of returning to the state set-up.
It paid dividends, with the 25-year-old blasting 488 runs and claiming 25 wickets to take out the Una Paisley Medal on premier cricket’s night of nights.
Her form was rewarded with a state contract the following season as well as a WBBL contract with the Renegades.
The Telikom Mudmen batter said the tournament has started really well, there’s definitely been a big adjustment in the girls in coming out of their shells and being more confident.
“They are growing and learning a bit more, I think it’s been exciting for the teams because the players are feeling more like a team.
“When you’re comfortable and confident, the girls play better cricket which makes for an exciting back-end of the tournament.
“So, I’m looking forward to the second week of the tournament before we go into the finals.”
21-year-old Ruth Johnston is one of the top prospects in Queensland’s cricketing ranks, but has joined the Hobart Hurricanes to play regularly and learn alongside some of the games finest players.
Johnston burst onto the scene in 2021, scoring 865 runs and taking 22 wickets as she was named Queensland’s Premier Cricket player of the season.
Damaging with both bat and ball, Johnston has all the tools to make a big splash at BBL level and is most certainly a name to watch.
“It’s been fantastic, I’ve been really keen to get here because my grandma who grew up here always spoke fondly of PNG,” the Niugini Assurance Cassowaries marquee player said.
“Loving the girls, they are so much fun and always enjoy everything they do, so I love that about them.
“The U19’s are getting really good exposure with game time before they head to their EAP Qualifier in May, and they are growing daily.”
Last week, Cricket PNG hosted a press conference introducing the players and facilitated their guest appearance on Sports Scene, the local EMTV network’s sports program, with EMTV also the live and free-to-air broadcast partner for the ISUZU WOMEN’S T20 SMASH.
Off-field the guests joined CPNG senior management for a memorable ANZAC Dawn Service at the Bomana War Cemetery.
“We have been fortunate to attract three fantastic players for this year’s ISUZU WOMEN’S T20 SMASH who have jumped in headfirst from the moment they landed in Port Moresby,” Richard Done, CEO of Cricket PNG said.
“Ruth, Ellie, and Rhiann are wonderful ambassadors for their WBBL teams, but more so have earned the immediate respect of our PNG players both on and off the field, and vice versa.
“They have gladly taken opportunities to promote the event and have impressed us all with their professionalism.
“It’s been great initiative by PacificAus Sports, and we thank the Australian government for their support.”
The WOMEN’S ISUZU T20 SMASH continues this weekend, with the finals to be held on the 4 May 2024.
All matches are played at Amini Park in the Bisini Sports Precinct in Boroko.
Next week, as we lead into the finals, activities include a reception hosted by the Australian High Commission, a school visit with our CPNG Development Officers, and a visit to local villages in Central Province, where cricket is predominately played and most of the players originate from.
Brenda Tau, the Lewas captain has also invited the girls to her home village, with the added bonus of a boat trip to nearby Fisherman’s Island, a sure sign that the girls are creating lasting memories from their time in PNG.
The ISUZU T20 SMASH is broadcast live and exclusive on EMTV and EMTV social media channels on 26, 27, 28 April before the Final is played on 4 May.