An Interview With PNG Cricket General Manager Andrew Knott
Papua New Guinea is perhaps one of cricket’s most exotic outposts. At the height of the season, thousands of cricketers, in villages and towns play the game in various shapes and forms. Some organized, some less formal.
In many areas cricket is the number one sport. Currently there are more players than facilities.
PNG probably has more hurdles to overcome than most associate nations if it is to become a top ten cricketing nation. Equipment needs to found. Facilities constructed. The issue of getting from one cricketing location to another is not to be underestimated in a country not noted for it’s highways and modern transportation systems. Sometimes the air is the best route between one town and another.
But PNG also has some fantastic advantages such as having a cricketing powerhouse on it’s doorstep.
PNG U/19 v India U/19: 50 Minute Video Highlights
For those of you who haven’t seen the PNG boys in action before or you want to see why India are one of the favourites for the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, check out this highlights package. Read more »
Asad Vala: An Outstanding PNG Prospect
20 year old Asad Vala is fast developing into one of PNG’s best batsmen. In season 2007/08 he is playing club cricket in Townsville, Australia and recently scored his maiden century (120) for Wanderers. Craig Baxter of The Townsville Bulletin newspaper finds out more.
Global Cricket
I thought it was about time I started my own blog. I have followed associate and affiliate cricket since 1998. Tony Munro’s BTTW column was a great inspiration. Global Cricket will specifically focus on the non-test playing cricket nations of the world. At present there are 91 countries that have associate or affiliate membership of The International Cricket Council. Most of these nations aspire to play at the highest level. How are they bridging the gap in standards? Do they have good facilities, strong development programs and sound administrative practices in place? There is a need for cricket to embrace a more diverse cultural outlook if it is to prosper in the future. The ICC’s global development program was first initiated in 1997 and began to really take shape after the 2001 ICC Trophy in Toronto, Canada. Although a new cricketing powerhouse is yet to emerge, it is clear that standards are improving dramatically and in time more nations will be able to compete with the 10 full members. I will be featuring newspaper articles of interest, opinion pieces and articles written by myself and some ideas about expanding the game. Please feel free to comment.-Ben Stinga
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