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Norman Vanua

Gold medal icon (G initial)
Gold medal icon (G initial) Image: Wikimedia Commons. en:User:Andrwsc and others / Public domain

Norman Vanua (born 2 December 1993) is a Papua New Guinean cricketer who has represented the national side in One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats. An all-rounder by trade, he is best known for taking a hat-trick against Bermuda in the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier and for his sustained presence in the Papua New Guinea squad across multiple ICC qualifying cycles.

Key facts

Full name Norman Vanua
Date of birth 2 December 1993
Nationality Papua New Guinean
Residence Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
National team Papua New Guinea
ODI debut 9 November 2014 v Hong Kong (in Australia)
T20I debut 15 July 2015 v Ireland (2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier)
Domestic club Western Creek Molonglo Cricket Club (First Grade)
Coaching qualification ICC Level 2
Spouse Kristie Vanua-Brown
Children Two

Background

Vanua is based in Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, where he plays First Grade club cricket for the Western Creek Molonglo Cricket Club between his national commitments with Papua New Guinea. He is also an accredited ICC Level 2 cricket coach.

International career

Debuts

Vanua made his ODI debut for Papua New Guinea on 9 November 2014 against Hong Kong in a fixture held in Australia. He made his T20I debut on 15 July 2015 against Ireland during the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Qualifier tournaments

In August 2018, Vanua was named in Papua New Guinea's squad for Group A of the 2018–19 ICC World Twenty20 East Asia-Pacific Qualifier. He was retained for the Regional Finals of the same qualifier in March 2019. The following month, he was selected for Papua New Guinea's squad at the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament held in Namibia.

2019 Pacific Games and T20 World Cup Qualifier

In June 2019, Vanua was selected to represent Papua New Guinea in the men's cricket competition at the 2019 Pacific Games. He was subsequently named in the squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier, staged in the United Arab Emirates. In Papua New Guinea's opening match of that tournament against Bermuda, Vanua claimed a hat-trick, one of the highlights of his international career.

ICC Men's T20 World Cups

In August 2021, Vanua was named in Papua New Guinea's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He was again selected in May 2024 for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Personal life

Vanua is married to Kristie Vanua-Brown, and the couple have two children. The family is based in Canberra.

Timeline

  • 2 December 1993 – Born.
  • 9 November 2014 – ODI debut against Hong Kong in Australia.
  • 15 July 2015 – T20I debut against Ireland in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.
  • August 2018 – Named in Papua New Guinea's squad for the 2018–19 ICC World Twenty20 East Asia-Pacific Qualifier (Group A).
  • March 2019 – Selected for the Regional Finals of the same qualifier.
  • April 2019 – Named for the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two in Namibia.
  • June 2019 – Selected for the 2019 Pacific Games.
  • 2019 – Took a hat-trick against Bermuda in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in the UAE.
  • August 2021 – Named in the squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
  • May 2024 – Named in the squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Significance

Vanua has been a regular member of Papua New Guinea's squad through several ICC qualifying cycles and global events, contributing to the country's continued participation at Associate level. His hat-trick at the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier remains a notable individual feat in Papua New Guinea's T20I history.

References