Cricket PNG Announces Squads for the National Regional Men’s Championships in Lae

The Cricket PNG Office announced the final squads for the 2015 National Regional Men’s Championships, which will be held in Lae, Morobe Province from 20-22nd March, 2015.

The teams competing in the three-day Twenty20 tournament are Team NCD Avala, Team NCD Lahara, Team Morobe and Team Combined XI.

In a change to the format from the 2014, only four (4) teams will be competing with each team only allowed to have a maximum of two (2) over-30 players in their squads.

Team Morobe will be looking to defend their crown after claiming the inaugural National Regional Championships last year. They will have strong opposition from the two (2) NCD Teams who are filled their teams with past and present PNG National Players including current DIGICEL PNG Barramundis players Raymond Haoda Jnr and Kabua Vagi Morea. Team Combined XI features the best players from Central, Oro, Milne Bay, Madang, Western Highlands and West New Britain.

“The second edition of the National Regional Championships promises to be very competitive with the best cricketers outside of the DIGICEL PNG Barramundis Squad taking part in this competition,” said Cricket PNG Game Development Manager and Tournament Director, Gayan Loku.

“Last year was a very successful event, but the calibre of players named this year will definitely increase the standard of play. All the best to all the teams to all the teams competing next week,” concluded Loku.

Former New Zealand Test Cricketer and Current Cricket PNG Head Coach, Dipak Patel along with Former PNG Barramundis Captain and current Cricket PNG Chairman of Selectors, Api Leka will be present at the tournament to oversee the talent on show.

“I am very must looking forward to travelling to Lae next week to see some of the best talent outside of Port Moresby,” said Patel.

“It will be the first time I will be travelling outside of the capital (of PNG). This tournament will give me a great opportunity to chat with players and officials from the other regions and gauge their standard against the Barramundis and the other national teams. I will be speaking to all the teams and officials about my expectations and what areas players/officials need to improve on to reach the standards of the Barramundis. It promises to be an exciting adventure,” concluded Patel.

Visiting teams will fly into Lae next Thursday 19th March, with the First Round matches scheduled to take place on Friday 20th March. The Grand Final is scheduled to take place on Sunday 22nd March. . All matches will be played on the Showgrounds Oval and Unitech Oval #3.
The National Regional Championships were held last year for the first time with Team Morobe defeating Team NCD in the Final to claim the inaugural title.