Brief History of PNG Women’s National Cricket Team
The Papua New Guinea (PNG) women’s national cricket team, known as the Kumul Petroleum Lewas, represents Papua New Guinea in international women’s cricket. Managed by Cricket PNG, an associate member of the International Cricket Council, the Lewas have been a dominant force in the ICC East Asia-Pacific region since their international debut in 2006.
PNG have consistently competed in the 50-Over World Cup Qualifier and the T20 World Cup Qualifier, reaching the semi-final in the 2018 and 2019 T20 World Cup Qualifiers. The team achieved One Day International (ODI) status in 2022.
Historical highlights – PNG Women’s National Cricket Team
In 2014, Cricket PNG launched the Kriket Blo Olgeta (KBO) Program, an inclusive initiative designed to make cricket accessible to people of all abilities, including women, villagers, and multicultural and traditional cricketers across the country.
Papua New Guinea made its international debut in September 2006, winning a three-match series against Japan, representing the ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) region at the 2007 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland. Although they won the series 3-0, they only secured two wins against Bermuda in the World Cup Qualifier.
The team did not qualify for the 2011 World Cup Qualifier or the 2013 World Twenty20 Qualifier, with Japan representing the EAP region on both occasions.
In 2015, women’s cricket was included in the Pacific Games for the first time, with Papua New Guinea as hosts. The team reached the final unbeaten but narrowly lost to Samoa. Later that year, they finished fifth out of eight teams at the 2015 World Twenty20 Qualifier.
In April 2018, the ICC granted Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) status, resulting in Papua New Guinea’s T20 matches getting recognized as WT20Is. Their first WT20I match was against Bangladesh on 7 July 2018 at VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen, in the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier.
In October 2021, Australian Kath Hempenstall was appointed head coach of the Lewas. However, in November 2021, Papua New Guinea had to withdraw from the Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe due to positive COVID-19 tests among players.
In May 2022, the ICC granted Papua New Guinea Women’s ODI status. They played their first WODI match against Zimbabwe on 24 March 2024 at Harare Sports Club, Harare.
Tournament Highlights – PNG Women’s National Cricket Team
Pacific Games:
In 2015, PNG hosted and won all their group matches but lost to Samoa in the final. In 2019, they topped the group stage but again lost to Samoa in the final, securing the silver medal.
2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualification:
The East Asia-Pacific regional qualifier was held in Apia, Samoa, from 15–22 July 2016. Papua New Guinea emerged undefeated in its four matches, qualifying for the World Cup qualifier.
Women’s T20I Pacific Cup:
PNG has been a dominant force, winning consecutively in 2022 and 2024. In 2022, they topped the round-robin table with five wins and one no result. In 2024, PNG finished second in the group stage and won the final against New Zealand Māori by five wickets.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier:
In 2019, PNG won all their 5 matches, qualifying for the qualifier tournament with 10 points. Papua New Guinea was included in the 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier regional group. However, the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Papua New Guinea qualified for the global qualifier held in 2022 based on their ranking. In 2023 they fell short of qualifying, winning 5 matches out of six, losing one game to Vanuatu by 5 wickets, ultimately finishing second with 10 points.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier:
In 2015, PNG represented the ICC East Asia-Pacific region, finishing fifth overall after a series of mixed results. In 2018, they reached the semi-final but finished fourth. In 2019, they again reached the semi-final but ended up fourth. In the 2022 edition, they finished fifth after winning the playoff against the United States. In 2023, they narrowly missed advancing to the global qualifier, winning five out of six matches but lost to Vanuatu.
Squad – PNG Women’s National Cricket Team
| Tanya Ruma |
| Brenda Hoi Tau |
| Sibona Jimmy |
| Naoani Vare |
| Vicky Araa |
| Isabel Toua |
| Pauke Siaka |
| Henao Thomas |
| Geua Tom |
| Kevau Frank |
| Vicky Buruka |
| Dika Lohia |
| Erani Pokana |
| Hane Tau |