Papa New Guinea International Cricket Team Overview and Analysis

The proud and accomplished KUMUL PETROLEUM PNG Barramundis, the embodiment of excellence and determination, is the moniker bestowed upon the Papua New Guinea (PNG) senior men’s cricket team. 

Foundation 

Cricket has a rich history in Papua New Guinea, with the sport being introduced to the country by missionaries in the 1890s. The local population quickly embraced the game, with matches often played informally and in large groups. 

While cricket was slower to gain a foothold in the Territory of New Guinea, it was eventually embraced by the British and Australian expatriate population in urban areas like Port Moresby. In 1972, a team of players representing Papua New Guinea played its first international match against Australia. Notably, the village of Hanuabada has had a solid connection to cricket. Here, it is played daily by people of all ages and has produced more than half of PNG’s national cricket team.

Membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC)

Papua New Guinea’s journey in cricket has been marked by notable milestones and achievements. In 1973, the country became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) before achieving independence in 1975.

The West Indies cricket team visited the country that year, with the national side falling short by four wickets. However, this match marked a turning point for Papua New Guinea cricket, as indigenous players began to dominate the national team. The team made its debut in the ICC Trophy in 1979, though they still need to progress beyond the first round. But they went on to win the gold medal at the South Pacific Games cricket tournament. 

With their tour of Australia in 1981, Papua New Guinea achieved their best international performance in the 1982 ICC Trophy, where they finished third after beating Bangladesh in a playoff. Despite facing challenges such as infrequent flights, Papua New Guinea continued to excel in regional tournaments, winning the gold medals at the South Pacific Games on multiple occasions and reaching the second round of the 1990 ICC Trophy in the Netherlands and the Plate final of the 1994 ICC Trophy.

ODI and T20 Performances:

Papua New Guinea’s cricket journey has been marked by impressive achievements and milestones, with the team rising through the ranks to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket. 

In 2014, the team finished 4th in the final qualifying tournament for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, held in New Zealand. While they did not qualify for the World Cup, their final position allowed them to gain One Day International (ODI) status for the first time. This status granted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) also provided Papua New Guinea Twenty20 International (T20I) status.

Their first ODI match was played in a two-match series against Hong Kong in Australia in November 2014. They won both matches, making them the only country that has won its first two ODIs till November 2016. 

Their first scheduled T20I match was against Hong Kong in July 2015 at the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. However, they played their first full T20I match two days later, against Ireland, winning by 2 wickets. Then, with a victory against Nepal, they became the first team to qualify for the playoff section of the tournament. Unfortunately, Papua New Guinea’s efforts in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier held in Ireland and Scotland did not yield the desired results, and they finished eighth.

In September 2017, then-coach Jason Gillespie suggested that Papua New Guinea be added to the Australian domestic limited-overs cricket tournament. On the 30th of March 2021, Carl Sandri was appointed as the new national coach and high-performance manager for all three national squads. He will oversee the high-performance department and talent development in PNG. The team continued to progress and recently qualified for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held in India.

The Papua New Guinea national cricket team has come a long way since its humble beginnings and has established itself as a formidable force in the world of cricket. Their hard work and perseverance have resulted in the team achieving ODI and T20I status and reaching the World Cup Qualifiers, South Pacific games, and other regional tournaments. With the support of dedicated coaches, players and fans, the Papua New Guinea national cricket team is poised to continue making waves in the world of cricket and bring more success to the country.

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