Papua New Guinea arrived safely on Sunday morning and were greeted by at least twenty 'wontoks' which is a word they use for family/friends/fellow villagers who now reside in Australia.
The week was extremely encouraging as the team beat a strong invitation side in both games on Tuesday and Thursday. The side spent the week at the Centre of Excellence as part of their preparation for the World Cricket League Division 3 in January 2009. The squad of 18 players and coach had a similar schedule to the first week when the East Asia-Pacific squad attended.
The PNG boys are a terrific bunch of guys who have a massive love and passion for the game. The work ethic and the way they throw themselves around the field is amazing.
On Friday Ian Healey came along for a few hours to interview a few of the players and do a small story on PNG cricket for the Cricket Show which is aired during the lunch interval of Australia's test match's at home.
The week also showed how much they are improving as a cricketing country in their development, their structures are in place now and they will have their best crack at a World Cup berth.
Rarua who is the captain of the national side was selected to represent a Indigenous X1 v a ACA X1 which had several ex Australian players, he smashed 65 including a few big six's. This is not only great for him but also great for the continued awareness of the ICCs development program.
I flew home on Friday night when the rest of the boys went to the All Star twenty20 game at the GABBA. This gave me sometime to get a few hours sleep before travelling down to Geelong for a second grade match.
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