Young PNG Star Dominates NSW
PNG U/19 Captain and Hebou Barramundi Chris Kent has belted a match winning 96 for the Australian Capital Territory Under 19s in a trial match against New South Wales yesterday.
The match forms part of the process for selection of the ACT squad that will take part in the Australian Under 19 National Championships in Adelaide early next year.
Kent received the nod to take part in the match on the back of some solid performances playing Grade cricket in Canberra for the North Canberra club as part of his Brian Bell Scholarship.
This good form comes off Kent's solid performances with the PNG Hebou Barramundi's in World Cricket League 2 & 3, Brian Bell Scholarship placement in Scotland (April ? September 2011) and an outstanding U/19 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland where he scored over 460 runs in 8 matches to top the batting.
Based on his results in Ireland and his enormous potential Kent was invited to play for the ACT U/19 State Team in a trial against the NSW U/19 Team yesterday. The match was an official selection trial for the ACT team to compete in this year Australian U/19 National Championship to be held in Adelaide from January 10, 2012.
Kent showed his true class opening the innings for ACT in their run chase against a strong NSW attack. NSW batted first and scored 9/210 off their 50 overs. In reply ACT beat NSW scoring 6/212 off 47 overs with Kent scoring a match high 96 and being awarded man of the match for his performance. With the final ACT team is still to be selected Kent's results have put him in a strong position to be selected.
Kent after the match said
"It was great to stand up in a big match. I really want to be selected in the team and play in the Australian Championship against the best U/19 players in Australia. Given that Australia is ranked No 1 in U/19's in the world, this is the strongest challenge that I can face. It would be great preparation for my role in PNG's T20 World Cup qualifier in March 2012 and U/19 World Cup campaign in August 2012."
Cricket PNG wishes Kent the best in his quest for selection and success.