Townsville pumped for PNG-Ireland cricket series
Date published: 28 January 2016
Townsville is just days away from hosting a feast of international cricket, including the big hitting of T20, between Papua New Guinea and Ireland at Tony Ireland Stadium.
Players and officials from both teams will begin arriving over the next few days for a series which will kick off this Sunday with a four day round 3 Inter-Continental Cup match, followed by three T20 clashes on February 6, 7 and 9.
The city will roll out the welcome mat with an official civic function for the teams on Friday evening.
Townsville City Council’s Sport, Recreational and Parks Committee chairman encouraged northern cricket fans to support the series which will be free to the public.
“This series is a great opportunity for local fans to see some exciting cricket,” Cr Ernst said. “The PNG and Ireland teams have made enormous progress in international cricket in recent years and there’s a lot at stake for both countries.
“The I-Cup match is extremely important for both countries’ standings and the T20 matches will be pure entertainment with the big hitting and spectacular fielding.”
Townsville Cricket president Peter Fry said the international series would continue to build the profile of cricket in the north.
“There’s no better way to promote and develop sport than by staging international matches and I know local cricket fans and players are really looking forward to seeing both teams play,” Mr Fry said.
“Hosting international cricket is great for the game, for sports fan generally and shows that Townsville has the facilities and support base to stage big time sport.”
Cricket PNG Operations Manager Gayan Loku said PNG was proud to be hosting the series in Townsville.
“Cricket PNG had to make the decision to move our home Round 3 ICUP Fixture against Ireland from Port Moresby to Townsville due to the lack of suitable facilities to host the ICUP in Port Moresby,” Mr Loku said.
“But we are very fortunate to have a very good relationship with the Townsville Local Council/Tony Ireland Stadium and they have been more than accommodating to host this fixture. The facilities here are first class and the hospitality with all our partners have been brilliant.
“We are very excited to host the leading Associate Cricket Country in Ireland. We encourage the community of Townsville, especially the large Papua New Guinea community, to get down and support this series as it promises to be an entertaining affair."
After two (2) rounds of the I-Cup, Ireland sit on top of the ladder on 40 points winning both their matches, while the HEBOU PNG Barramundis sit in fifth place on 20 points after defeating Netherlands in the first round and losing to Afghanistan in the second round.
Both teams will hit the practice nets at Tony Ireland Stadium on Friday. Players and officials will be available for interviews at 11.30am.
