After playing a major role in the historic Big Bash victory on Sunday, Liam O’Connor jumped on a plane to Port Moresby to give a helping hand to the Hebou PNG Barramundis.
The Barras are currently preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
Adelaide Strikers’ leg-spinner, O’Connor, who was selected for the Big Bash showpiece on Sunday after being on the sideline for the entire Big Bash, took 0/27 off his allotted four overs to help the Adelaide Strikers win their maiden Big Bash title after defeating the Hobart Hurricanes by 25 runs.
O’Connor got the opportunity to fly to Port Moresby through the Adelaide Strikers’ assistant coach and newly-appointed Cricket PNG National Coach, Joe Dawes.
Although O’Connor had not travelled to PNG previously, he played against the Hebou PNG Barramundis in the Maroochydore a couple of years ago when he was a rookie player for Western Australia.
O’Connor and Dawes landed in Port Moresby on Tuesday and went straight to Amini Park for the Hebou PNG Barramundis’ training session.
O’Connor believes that the Hebou PNG Barramundis have a chance at the upcoming ICC CWC Qualifier.
O’Connor will depart Port Moresby tomorrow with the Hebou PNG Barramundis, where they will be based in Brisbane for a week-long camp, playing a couple of practice matches and trainings before travelling to Zimbabwe for the ICC CWC Qualifier.
Liam O’Connor is a 24-year-old leg-spin bowler from Perth, who was previously contracted with Western Australia and currently plays for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League in Australia.
(Liam O’Connor helping Mahuru Dai)