The international careers of Papua New Guinea cricketers Mahuru Dai and Jack Vare appear to be over after they were axed from the team to compete in the World T20 East Asia Pacific Qualifier later this month.
Jack Vare is a former PNG captain. Photo: Facebook / Cricket PNG
Steven Eno is the only new cap in the 14-man Barramundis squad, which also marks the return of fast bowler Nosiana Pokana after International Cricket Council (ICC) tests found his action is now legal.
Mahuru Dai. Photo: Supplied/Cricket PNG
Head coach Joe Dawes said Mahura Dai, 34, and Jack Vare, 32, had been fantastic servants of the team but the nature of professional sport meant age caught up and it was time to move on.
"We've had two tournaments now, in Dubai late last year and Zimbabwe earlier on in the year, where the senior players didn't get the job done," he said.
"We're now entering into a new four-year cycle of the ICC where we've decided to back our younger players and give them time to develop and unfortunately those two players, whose numbers weren't up to scratch, have missed out."
The former Queensland fast-bowler Dawes was excited to have Nosiana Pokana available for selection after a reassessment of his bowling action in June cleared him to return to international competition.
"His action got cleared about a month ago and we're very confident in the work we put in and the work he put in to get it right," he said.
"He's taken a lot of wickets in the club competition, he's taken wickets in the Hebou Shield, which just finished on Sunday, as the big left armer bowling at pace and swinging the new ball.
PNG bowler Nosiana Pokana. Photo: Cricket PNG
"We were lucky enough to have (Australian international) Mitch Starc up here a couple of months ago for a dinner and big Nos was hanging off him like a shadow for the weekend, just asking questions and talking to him," reflected Dawes.
"So the big guy is going really well. He's worked really hard on his fitness - he's lost about nine kilos and got himself into really good shape and bowling well with good pace - so we're looking forward to unleashing him in this tournament."
The Barramundis will play two matches each against Samoa, Vanuatu and hosts Fiji, with the top two sides advancing to the East Asia Pacific Regional finals in early 2019.
PNG captain Assad Vala discusses tactics with coach Joe Dawes. Photo: PNG Cricket
