CRICKET TAKES ROOT IN WEST NEW BRITAIN

Cricket in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been gaining attraction through the relentless efforts of Cricket PNG’s Game Development Program.

Cricket PNG said that one region that has shown remarkable growth in this space is West New Britain (WNB), where cricket has emerged from the shadows of more dominant sports.

“Cricket development in WNB officially began in 2010, with early efforts centered on charity games and informal weekend matches.

At the time, cricket was not widely known or played among the local population. A turning point came in May 2014, when Nathan Henry joined Cricket PNG as a Regional Cricket Manager (RCM).

Henry began taking the sport to remote communities, teaching basic skills to a population where over 75% of participants had never seen a cricket game before.

WNB has produced its first representative in the prestigious Isuzu T20 Smash, Cyril Kumasi, who began his cricket journey as a student at Sarakolok Primary School.

His progression from the BSP School Kriket Program to the national stage shows the impact and effectiveness of the grassroots cricket programs.

Cyril Kumasi, a key all-rounder for the Black Bass Men’s team, showcased his skill throughout the IZUSU Men’s T20 Smash, playing to the grand final as runner-ups. He played in 10 matches contributing 17 runs with the bat in the lower order,” Cricket PNG stated.

Cricket PNG stated that Cricket in West New Britain is no longer a minor sport, with every bat swing and bowling run-up, it is becoming a symbol of opportunity, unity, and pride for a growing number of youths both girls and boys, who are now dreaming of wearing the national colors.

“The Growth of School Cricket in WNB today, nearly 60% of schools in WNB actively participate in the BSP School Kriket Program, which has grown from 3 centres nationally to 11, reaching over 150,000 participants annually across PNG. WNB alone contributes significantly to this number, with cricket now being introduced in areas once considered unreachable.

Indoor cricket competitions in Kimbe remain an annual highlight, bringing together business houses and community stakeholders for social matches that further promote cricket’s visibility and community involvement.

WNB has been a steady contributor to national development camps, including the U19 Talent Identification Camps and Regional Championships, where the WNB U19 team finished second to Lae,” Cricket PNG said.