Kent wicketkeeper Geraint Jones is loving his time playing for Papua New Guinea as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers.
Having flown into New Zealand in recent days for the qualification stages of the fifty over tournament, Jones is hoping his experience can help the country of his birth qualify for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Jones had a quick stopover in Brisbane to catch up with family before flying on to Christchurch to join up with his PNG team-mates as they prepare for their crucial fixtures over the coming weeks.
On Friday the side took to the field against an experienced Scotland side in the first of their warm up games, losing by 7 wickets with Jones out for a duck, but the 37 year old said he is loving his time with the PNG boys:
“I love every minute with these guys and it gives me an opportunity to extend my international career and it gives to me everything that I give back to them,” said Jones.
The game also saw two former England team-mates reunited as Geraint caught up with Paul Collingwood, who is now coach for Scotland and the Kent man explained how it was nice to see his old friend:
“It’s been great to catch up,” said Jones. “It would be nice to have his lifestyle – he plays a lot of golf, that’s just how he rolls.”
Jones and the Papua New Guinea side have little time to reflect on Friday’s defeat as they take on Hong Kong in their latest warm up game in Christchurch on Saturday.
They then head to New Plymouth to take on Kenya in their tournament opener on Monday 13th January, before taking on Uganda at the same venue next Thursday.
Papua New Guinea then face the Netherlands in New Plymouth once again on Sunday 19th January with Namibia their opponents in Mount Maunganui on Thursday 23rd January.
A series of super six phase games will then follow should Papua New Guinea progress from their group with the final to be held in Lincoln, New Zealand, just outside Christchurch on Saturday 1st February with the two finalists picking up the last two spots in the World Cup.