PNG Lewas to host Inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational Supported by the Australian Government
Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG), Cricket Australia and the Australian Government are proud to announce the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational, which will be held at Amini Park in Port Moresby from Sunday 15 June to Saturday 21 June 2025.
The Invitational will see the Women’s national team, PNG Lewas, face off against visiting teams from Vanuatu, Samoa, and the Australian Indigenous Women’s team in what promises to be a thrilling celebration of women’s cricket in the Pacific.
The T20 tournament is supported through the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, which creates opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition.
The tournament coincides with Papua New Guinea’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, making this a special moment for sport and national pride. Amini Park is preparing to host the tournament and cricket events, recognising countries that have played a meaningful role in PNG’s cricket development and regional relationships in sports.
Michael Harrison, Board Chariman of Cricket PNG, said: “It promises to be a week of intense competition, cultural exchange, and community spirit. Sport has a unique ability to bring people together, and this tournament offers invaluable international exposure for all participating teams,” Harrison said.
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, Ewen McDonald said: “Pacific nations share a passion for sport. It’s great to see Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Australia competing in this exciting new fixture. It is testament to the close and enduring cultural connections we share across the Blue Pacific.”
“We are delighted Papua New Guinea will host the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational here in Port Moresby, as Papua New Guinea prepares to mark its 50th anniversary of independence this year. This tournament is a fantastic example of breaking down barriers, promoting women in sport, and cultivating elite level pathways for women and girls in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries,” he said.
Cricket Australia CEO, Todd Greenberg, said: “The Australian Women’s Indigenous squad brings together skill, determination, and a proud legacy of Indigenous cricket, and we look forward to seeing them perform at their best in PNG. We highly value our partnership with the Australian Government to deliver the PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational and would like to acknowledge and thank Cricket Papua New Guinea for hosting the event.”
As hosts, the PNG Lewas will take centre stage, and have shown promise in recent years, including a famous victory over Zimbabwe, and continue to grow through strong domestic competitions like the T20 Smash, which is developing new talent and strengthening the depth of the squad.
The arrival of former Australian national coach Tim Nielsen as part of Cricket PNG’s development team has also brought fresh energy and structure to the Lewas' training and preparation, raising the team’s standards and long-term ambitions.
PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational – PNG Lewas Match Schedule: (All matches at Amini Park, Port Moresby)
PACIFIC INVITATIONAL 2025 DRAW
Cricket PNG invites the public, media, and the wider sporting community to come and support the Lewas as they proudly represent PNG and continue to build a strong platform for women in sport.
For further information, please contact info@cricketpng.org
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