PNG Under-19 Garamuts team in Brisbane. Photo: Photo: Cricket PNG
Papua New Guinea naional men's under-19 national cricket team, the PNG Garamuts, are on course for their ICC Under-19 Men's World Cup Division One qualifier in Japan.
The team spent the past two weeks in Brisbane, fine-tuning their game, thanks to funding support from the PacificAus Sports programme.
Coach Kila Pala said they have had an intensive preparation program, which included having some expert tips in a session with former Australian coach Tim Nielsen.
Pala said they will go through their final preparation phase, before they face Japan and Fiji for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, at the Sano International Cricket Ground.
The winner qualifies for the World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe in 2026.
Papua New Guinea's Garamuts men's under-19 national cricket team are on course for their ICC Under-19 Men's World Cup Division One qualifier in Japan. Photo: Cricket PNG
Teams are due to arrive in Japan on 22 April, with matches commencing on 24 April. and finals on 29 April.
The teams will play each other twice, with one match taking place per day.
Japan and Fiji qualified automatically for Division One, courtesy of finishing second at the regional qualifying tournament in 2023.
PNG won the newly created Division Two tournament in 2024 to earn their place.
Pala said that while the Garamuts' Brisbane tour has been heavily impacted by the rainy weather over the past two weeks, resulting in multiple match cancellations, they have gone through a program where they have learned so much, in term of their preparation.
"Despite these setbacks, the team has made full use of their time in Brisbane, by focusing on intensive training sessions, ensuring they continue to develop their skills and maintain peak fitness levels," PNG Cricket said in a statement.
"This tour, made possible by the PacificAus Sports initiative has given the Garamuts valuable exposure to high-performance training environments and elite coaching expertise."
With the persistent wet weather forcing schedule changes, the Garamuts coaching staff has implemented a stringent and structured training schedule to ensure players maintain their skill levels, improve fitness, and enhance their overall game awareness.
Pala said their session with former Australian coach Nielsen, at the National Cricket Centre, was a big learning for the players.
"He provided invaluable insights on batting, bowling strategies, and the mental approach needed at the elite level," Pala stated.
Nielsen, who led Australia from 2006 to 2011, shared key techniques on game planning and mental toughness, knowledge that will benefit the players beyond this tour.
He said with match fitness being a concern due to the lack of competitive games, the coaching staff also focused on outdoor centre-wicket training.
"Our focus was on middle overs play, with bowlers working on different game scenarios and field placements while batters aimed to rotate the strike and build partnerships," Pala
explained.
Given PNG's historical struggles with top-order batting, the team emphasized shot selection, minimizing risks, and achieving small targets to build big scores.
The Garamuts team manager Richard Leka said the team will now focus on putting their learning into practise.
"The team has been provided with the necessary support services to maintain peak physical condition with warmups, mobility sessions, pool recovery and strapping for the players all catered form" he said.
