Papua New Guinea's top cricketers are close to signing off on contracts that will make them full-time professionals.
The move is part of a steady progression in PNG, with the Barramundi's now ranked 16th in the world in one dayers and awarded full ODI status.
Cricket PNG General Manager Greg Campbell says signing the players up full time comes at the right time, with head coach Jeetan Patel now settled in his new role.
"He's been in the country now two weeks. He's been there every day with the boys training and it's an issue we addressed that we needed that continuity with the coach here every day so it's been a good part of that and the boys are enjoying the training. They're just about to sign their contracts too to become full-time cricketers so they will be asked to train four or five, six days a week now, their finances will be a lot better for them. Their sort of living environment will improve so it's all looking good".
The Barramundi's players competed in the annual Twenty20 Big Bash in Port Moresby at the weekend and leave shortly for Australia to contest the South Australian Premier League.
