The Cricket PNG Board is making efforts to resolve several grievances. These grievances were made by staff and players at the end of 2024.

Board Chairman Michael Harrison said, “The Board and management of Cricket PNG worked through the Christmas period. They tried to resolve the issues.”

“We met with staff and players twice since the petition was presented. Yet, individuals involved have not accepted the findings of the Board. They continue to go public with their complaints. Most of these complaints are unfounded.”

“Sadly, some players have gone to the media instead of talking to us about the issues. All they have succeeded in doing is damaging the reputation of Cricket PNG, which will make attracting funding even harder.”

“Everyone is aware that Cricket PNG suffered a financial downturn in 2024 which affected our cash flow.”

“Our annual funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC) depends on prior-year performance. This includes performance on and off the field. It counts international and domestic results.”

“On top of this, despite the employment of a new Commercial Manager, two key sponsors reduced their funding, partly in response to the difficult economic times we have all been facing.”

He said the Board had analyzed all 2024 transactions, and that the accounts would be handed over to auditors this week, to close out 2024.”

Although receiving the ICC Quarter 4 payment late in 2024, Cricket PNG continued to pay outstanding payments to suppliers.

Apart from it being good business practice, Cricket PNG has to provide ICC with annual audits. These are complete and unqualified.

“2024 saw a downturn of over US$ 800,000 of funding from the ICC, resulting from the Barramundis team failing to retain ODI status in early 2023.”

“This change will continue until 2028, the next opportunity for the Barramundis to regain that status.”

“Along with two other women’s ODI countries, an ICC decision in late 2023 resulted in Cricket PNG receiving US$ 428,000 (K1.74 Mil) less than expected for our Lewas ODI status.”

Cricket PNG addressed this in 2024 by investing in sending the Lewas overseas on two ODI tours, and in 2025, Cricket PNG will receive the full amount of US$ 570,000 (K2.32Mil).

The Covid pandemic meant that the domestic competition was mostly postponed or cancelled.

Senior cricket was slower to recover, although the junior hardball competition increased from

less than 20 teams in 2022 to over 165 in 2023.

Cricket PNG continues to work to return cricket to pre-pandemic senior levels. Chair Harrison continued, “We are focused on reinvigorating all our domestic programs and have in fact overspent on trying to prepare our national squads in overseas camps, before their qualifying tournaments.”

“In 2024 we hired two internationally experienced coaches based on expected new revenue that sadly didn’t eventuate; we have to improve our on-field performance so that our funding improves, we have to spend before we actually receive such funds.”

“The Barramundis have received K570,000 of the prize money from the West Indies T20 World Cup. This has all been paid to the team players.”

“The balance of K300,000 is on hold until we receive our next ICC funding for Q1, and advice on the outcome of potential tax implications of this payment from the IRC.”

“Lastly, but importantly, certain staff and players have targeted our CEO, Richard Done, and publicly made incorrect and potentially defamatory statements against him.”

“The Board has investigated each issue and found no malfeasance or inappropriate actions. Richard Done has worked tirelessly for Cricket PNG, bringing with him over 40 years of widely recognized cricket experience as a former player and longtime cricket administrator. After extensive investigations the Board remains unanimous in its support for him.”

Harrison also advised, “The PNG contracted players announced in the media that they are on strike, although no formal notice of this action has been submitted to Cricket PNG.”

“As is normal practice at this time of the year, we have reached out to the regional Associations and advised each to endorse current and other players for each of the four national squads. These players nominations will be handed to the Selection Panel, for final team selection.”

“We have a number of qualifying tournaments in 2025 and need to ensure that as soon as possible we have our best teams available. That is the Board’s focus right now”.

The Board is committed to looking after the welfare of our contracted players as well as running development programs to increase the number of cricket players, umpires and administrators.

“Our aim continues to make cricket the number one family sport in PNG and improving our world rankings for our men’s and women’s sides.”