Photo Credit: Twitter Cover Photo of @Cricket_PNG
Cricket PNG Management were forced to rethink their World Cup preparations yesterday with government delays in Australia on border entry approval forcing their withdrawal from the planned T20 Strike league competition to be held in Darwin.
The Northern Territory 365 Cricket T20 Strike League is due to start on the 15th of August but due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the approval, combined with quarantine measures, CPNG management and coaching staff were left with little option.
Cricket PNG CEO, Greg Campbell, “ it’s extremely frustrating all planning was in place and has been for some time, a lot of work goes into organising these tours but unfortunately Australia had the Delta strain outbreak, that changed the landscape and halted the approval process. Our decision was not taken lightly and was made with player welfare in mind, we were conscious of the mental and physical toll on our players, with late notice to travel then quarantine and possibly no practice time prior to the competition, the risk was too great.”
“ Although disappointed the players handled the decision well, they are fully aware of the end goal with the T20 World Cup, they agreed on the risk, understood time was not on our side, and are confident in our contingency plans in terms of preparation. We also needed to fair to our hosts, Northern Territory Cricket, who we have entered into a agreement over the next two years for this competition for both our Barra’s and Lewas”.
National Coach, Carl Sandri, was confident with alternate plans in terms of preparation. “ in the current environment you just have to ready for hurdles don’t you, we always have contingencies in mind and this one was no different. Our friends at Boroko Motors have come to the rescue sponsoring an Isuzu Barras Bash T20 series in the interim and we have adjusted our travel to Oman forward and have now scheduled more practice games prior to the World Cup”
“ The NT Cricket 365 T20 Stike League competition would have been great, it includes the Melbourne Stars & Renegades from the BBL but we will have to wait till next year. Spending more time in Oman definitely has its advantages in terms of acclimatising and playing more matches against fellow World Cup competitors. The overall length away is shortened as well so mentally the boys will be better placed.”
Cricket PNG will release details of the Isuzu Barras Bash early next week, it will run over a two week period culminating on the 22nd of August with the Barras Due to leave our shores on the 28th of August.
