PNG a rising force in womens cricket as Lewas hone skills

Lewas from PNG are becoming into a dominant force in women's cricket as they compete in Australia's Country Championships.

Papua New Guinea only has one turf cricket field, but that hasn't stopped the nation's women's team from moving up to 12th in the global Twenty20 rankings.

The national team, nicknamed as the Lewas, is renowned for its distinctively thrilling brand of play.

The squad, which comprises seven moms, overcame enormous obstacles just to participate, according to coach Kath Hemptenstall.There is only one turf wicket and a few turf nets in the entire nation, according to Hemptenstall.

"We don't have any indoor facilities, and it rains for four months of the year."

When you consider everything, it's very incredible that both our men's and women's teams have progressed to where they have," the speaker said.The Lewas were severely impacted by COVID-19 since, prior to the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in September of last year, the squad had not competed in an international match for over three years.

PNG defeated Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States to place fifth out of eight teams.batter, Lewas Tanya Ruma led the field in runs scored with an average of 49.5.

The team's captain, Kaiya Arua, expressed her pride in their ability to strike the most sixes.She explains, "It's just the perspective we have."The PNG players are aware that they need more playing time to get farther.

They view their invitation to the Australian Country Championships this week in Canberra as essential because of this.The Lewas will compete in at least eight games over the course of the five-day event, which also features teams from the state and the ACT.

The "high-risk, high-reward" approach,The unique skill of the PNG players is constantly on display when they play.Hemptenstall credits their talent to participating in village games.

She adds that the best way to characterise these ladies is as accomplished backyard cricketers.

They are really adept, know all the tricks of the trade, and occasionally bat as if they would be at bat again in five minutes, which is a little concerning.

They play with a lot of passion and delight, but our strategy is more high-risk and high-reward.

The players have a lot of creativity.

Isabel Toua switched from medium pace to leg spin after viewing Shane Warne footage on YouTube.

The squad wants to get a player into Australia's Women's Big Bash League as well as qualify for the Twenty20 World Cup.

But they are also role models for PNG women off the field.

Arua explains, "Our duty is to be in the kitchen and take care of all those things for the house."

"I believe that playing cricket gives us the impression that we can accomplish whatever that males can do."