PNG's World Cup push boosted by Top End tilt

Should Papua New Guinea's men's team qualify for this year's ICC T20 World Cup, they will gain invaluable pre-tournament experience in Australian conditions through their involvement in Northern Territory Cricket's revamped Cricket 365 program.

The Barramundis are one of five teams slated for the 10-day Top End T20 series in August that will also feature academy outfits representing KFC BBL clubs Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars, a Cricket Australia XI and a combined NT Strike side.

The T20 series – which follows a six-week Strike League competition involving four NT franchises in 50-over and 20-over matches – will be staged in Darwin from August 11-21, weeks after the ICC's Qualifier B event in Zimbabwe from which two teams will progress to the World Cup being held in Australia next October and November.

Having earned qualification for last year's T20 showpiece in the UAE, the Barramundis are vying with Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, United States, Jersey, Singapore and Uganda for the two remaining World Cup places alongside fellow recent qualifiers Ireland and UAE.

PNG failed to win a match in their three appearances at last year's first round of the ICC tournament ultimately won by Australia, but should they again progress this year they will welcome the chance for high-level preparation as part of the Top End T20 series.

It will be the first time in five years PNG's men's team have been engaged in NT Cricket's winter program and it paves the way for further involvement of teams from Australia's nearest neighbour in Top End scheduling.

The Barramundis had hoped to be part of last year's inaugural Cricket 365 program as part of their build-up for a maiden T20 World Cup appearance.

However, COVID-19 put paid to their plans before the pandemic played further havoc with NT Cricket's aspirations for the Top End Series to fill a vital niche in ensuring top-level players can access year-round competitions without the need to leave Australia.

"It has been a couple of years in the making with COVID spoiling our plans to join Cricket 365 last year," PNG Cricket chief executive officer (and former Australia Test representative) Greg Campbell said today.

"We have just launched our major competition here in PNG which will lead into Cricket 365 and assist players prepare for their trip to the Top End.

"Cricket PNG are keen to continue to build our relationship with NT Cricket and look forward to being involved with Cricket 365 for years to come."

This year's Cricket 365 program will begin on 26 June, with four NT franchises – City Cyclones, Desert Blaze, Northern Tide and Southern Storm – engaged in a six-week schedule of 50-over and T20 matches at Darwin and Palmerston.

Among the players expected to take part is Australia-capped limited-overs bowler Wes Agar, who endured an injury and illness-ravaged summer with South Australia and is looking to avail himself of the opportunity to play competitively during winter.

It is also expected a number of state and BBL-contracted players will take part in the two-month winter season, with some senior members of the Renegades and Stars tipped to make the trip as well as the clubs' development and academy players.

The names of participating players and coaches, along with further details on the likely make-up of the combined CA XI taking part in the Top End T20 series, are expected to be available from next week.

And local NT players who perform strongly in the Strike League matches will be included in the 13-man Northern Territory Strike squad for the subsequent 10-match round-robin Top End series.

Last year's inaugural Cricket 365 program was tipped to feature headline acts such as Australia representatives Kurtis Patterson and Chris Tremain, as well as high-profile state players like Jake Weatherald, Henry Hunt (both SA), and WA spinner Corey Rocchiccioli.

However, the spread of omicron disrupted travel plans for many interstate players and prevented Renegades and Stars from sending teams.

NT Cricket chief executive officer Joel Morrison is looking to build further on the accomplishments of the maiden season and welcomed the sponsorship of Charles Darwin University (CDU) for both the Strike League and Top End T20 competitions, from which all matches will be live streamed.

"Our launch of Cricket 365 proved to be a game changer for both our local community and Australian cricket more broadly," Morrison said today.

"Having Australia’s best young players in Darwin and Palmerston over winter allows them to pursue an endless summer to develop their game and thrive.

"It also provides a strong pathway to professional cricket for Territorians, with a national competition now staged annually in our backyard.

"Beyond the cricket field, Cricket 365 also presents a broader opportunity for the Territory, with games broadcast to a global audience of over one million people in 2021."

Details of 2022 Cricket 365 competitions:

CDU Strike League – June 26-August 7 featuring City Cyclones, Desert Blaze, Northern Tide and Southern Storm. 50-over matches fixtured on Sundays (Darwin and Palmerston); T20 matches Wednesday evenings (Darwin); final to be 50-over match (Darwin).

CDU Top End T20 – August 11-21 featuring Cricket Australia XI, Papua New Guinea, Melbourne Renegades academy, Melbourne Stars academy, Northern Territory Strike. Evening matches except for afternoon final (Darwin).