Papua New Guinea cricketers have this week been rubbing shoulders with the reigning Cricket Australia Big Bash Champions.
Hebou PNG Barramundis' fast bowler, Norman Vanua and all-rounder, Charles Amini Jnr are currently training and playing alongside the Adelaide Strikers in Australia.
Charles Amini Junior in action during the second one dayer vs Hong Kong. Photo: Hong Kong Cricket
Both Vanua and Amini were invited by the champions to be involved in their lead-up preparations for the upcoming Big Bash Season.
They also played in two practice matches over the weekend with Amini impressing, bowling very well and making 28 with the bat in the Saturday match.
They will be flying to Brisbane today to be once again involved with the Adelaide Strikers' preparations in the lead up to the opening match of the 2018/19 Big Bash Season which will take place against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba tonight.
Big Bash champions the Adelaide Strikers. Photo: Suppllied/BBL
The Adelaide Strikers T20 assistant coach Joe Dawes who is also the coach of the PNG cricket coach said they were confident going into the opener as defending champions.
"It's a nice feeling obviously. Confidence in how you play the game and in the people you have got. But we will challenge ourselves to try and be better again this year," Joe Dawes said.
"We know that now we are probably the hunted instead of the hunters and we want to make sure that we are getting better and better every year."
The PNG cricketers Vanua and Amini won't be playing in the main competition, they fly home tomorrow.