Australian Cricket helps train Cricket PNG Groundsmen

South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) Curator Todd Heinrich was in the country last week to assist Cricket PNG grounds staff to continue work on the new turf wicket squares at Amini Park.

Mr Heinrich spent the week working with Cricket PNG’s Head Groundsmen Lega Siaka and his team of staff, up-skilling them in the art of rehabilitating and preparing brand new turf wickets.

Lega said he was pleased with the training and his team are now ready to start work preparing the wicket squares on both the Amini and Colts Grounds ahead of a busy domestic cricket schedule in Port Moresby.

“Over the four days we have learnt how to fully rehabilitate the wickets so that they are up to international standards to accommodate cricket matches,” Lega said.

“ I would like to thank Cricket PNG for bringing Mr Heinrich up here as it was a valuable time for us to gain further knowledge of how to maintain and improve our playing facilities here in PNG,” Lega concluded.

This is the second visit for the year from an Australian Curator with SACA Head Curator Justin Groves in PNG earlier in the year to oversee the initial preparation of the turf squares prior to the Pacific Games.

The aim is to have the grounds ready to host international cricket matches for the PNG Barramundis early in 2016.

The domestic cricket season is set to kick off in Port Moresby this weekend with the Port Moresby Cricket Association’s competition starting on Saturday August 8th with 24 teams from around the capital taking part.

Caption: CPNG Groundsmen with Todd Heinrich in action for the turf wicket preparation at Amini Park & Colts Grounds...picture courtesy of Cricket PNG Media Unit.