Pacific women’s cricket makes its mark

Over six days in June, the inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational put the Pacific’s rising stars on display – and sent a signal to the cricketing world that the region is ready to compete.

Teams from Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu, and an Australian Indigenous cricket side, gathered in Port Moresby for the T20 tournament, hosted by Cricket PNG with support from Cricket Australia and PacificAus Sports. What followed was a tightly fought contest, marked by flashes of brilliance – and a nail-biting final day that left no doubt: women’s cricket in the Pacific is gaining momentum.

PNG Lewas: champions on home soil

The PNG Lewas delivered a tournament to remember, crowned champions after finishing on top of the table with five wins from six matches and the highest net run-rate of all four teams.

Despite an opening-round defeat to Australia’s Indigenous team, the hosts regrouped and went on to win every other game – including a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Australians in their second meeting.

“Losing that first game was a good learning point for the PNG Lewas,” says Captain Brenda Tau. “We knew as a team what we needed to work on, and what we had to do to bounce back. We supported, encouraged and believed in each other – and that got us the win in the end.”

Veterans Pauke Siaka and Isabel Toua were key to the Lewas’ success. Pauke produced match-winning performances with both bat and ball, while Isabel’s sharp bowling and fielding earned her the Player of the Tournament award.

Samoa: spirit, pride and promising talent

Samoa’s team is in a rebuilding phase, but their spirit and intent were never in question.

Blending the experience of long-time players like Tuaoloa Helen Semau with exciting young talent from their U19 pathways, Samoa showed they are laying the foundations for future success. Bowler Olive Lefaga Lemoe stood out for her composure under pressure, while batter Taalili Iosefo’s gritty innings against PNG in the first round reflected the team’s determination.

Though they left Port Moresby without a win, Samoa gained valuable experience on the international stage – a crucial step in their mission to return to the top tier of women’s cricket.

Vanuatu: emerging stars and fierce determination

Vanuatu arrived determined to live up to their status as the nation’s highest-ranked sporting side – and they didn’t disappoint.

After rain cut short their opening fixture against Samoa, they bounced back with a commanding win over the same opponents in their next encounter, led by captain Rachel Andrew’s classy half-century. Andrew, who finished as the tournament’s top scorer, also made her mark with the ball, supported by team-mates Vanessa Vira and Vicky Mansale.

Despite tough losses to PNG and the Australians, Vanuatu’s performances reinforced their reputation as a team to watch – and highlighted the depth of cricketing talent emerging from the Pacific.

Indigenous Australia: culture, pride and world-class cricket

For the Australian Indigenous team, the Invitational was about more than the competition – it was an opportunity to celebrate long-standing cultural connections with the Pacific.

“We’re representing our culture every time we step onto the field,” said captain Christina Coulson in an interview with NITV, Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander TV news service.

The Australians opened the tournament with a win over PNG, followed by victories over Vanuatu and Samoa. Their only loss came in a heart-stopping clash with the Lewas in the second round – but they finished the tournament with an impressive record, narrowly missing the top spot on net run-rate.

Rising stars like Ella Hayward, from the Melbourne Renegades, helped raise the standard of play across the competition – but as Cricket Australia’s Brett Wood acknowledged, the experience was just as valuable for the Australians.

“For the Australian Indigenous team to be able to come over and play against the quality of the opponents here – PNG, Vanuatu and Samoa – that’s an amazing experience,” he said.

A launchpad for the future

Cultural exchanges, shared training sessions and fierce but friendly rivalry have left a lasting mark, with players and officials alike speaking of the bonds formed throughout the week.

“We’re proud to stand alongside our sisters,” said Lewas captain Brenda Tau on the closing day. “Not just as athletes, but as ambassadors for women’s sport.”

With the Lewas, Vanuatu and Samoa now preparing for the East Asia Pacific Qualifiers in Fiji this September, and with women’s cricket set to feature at the 2028 Olympic Games, the stage is set for Pacific teams to keep building – and keep believing – in their place on the world stage.