Papua New Guinea’s women’s cricket team, the PNG Lewas, are hosting Thailand’s women’s team for a five-match international series here at the Amini Park in Port Moresby city.

The series features two T20 Internationals and three One Day Internationals (ODIs) over 50 overs.

The two teams have completed the T20 International leg of the series, with the Lewas winning the opening match on Monday before Thailand bounced back to claim victory in the second match on Tuesday. The result leaves the T20 International series level at one-all.

With the T20s now completed, both teams have a day to rest, regroup, and prepare for the much-anticipated ODI series, which carries significant importance for both nations.

The three ODI matches are sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and will contribute towards the teams’ Women’s ODI World Rankings.

The closely ranked teams are therefore expected to produce another competitive contest when the ODI series gets underway.

Speaking immediately after Tuesday’s T20 International, Lewas captain Brenda Tau highlighted the importance of the upcoming ODI matches and called on the people of Port Moresby to come out and support the national women’s team.

Tau said she would love to see more cricket fans and Port Moresby residents at Amini Park on Thursday to get behind the PNG Lewas.

She further added that the girls will be representing the country on home soil, which is huge for the players. And just to have the home fans turning up in numbers to cheer them on would be good for the girls and boost their performance as well.

The first ODI is scheduled for Thursday 13th August, at Amini Park, with the Lewas looking to use home-ground advantage and strong local support as they begin the crucial three-match series against Thailand.