Squad Named for PacificAus Sports Women's Invitational T20 in PNG

Vanuatu after their historic win against Zimbabwe in the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi

The Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) is proud to announce the women’s national team selected to represent Vanuatu at the PacificAus Sports Invitational T20 Tournament, to be held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from 15–21 June 2025.

The Invitational features four teams: hosts Papua New Guinea (ranked 13th), Samoa (44th), an Australian Indigenous XI, and Vanuatu, currently the nation’s highest-ranked sporting team at No. 32 in the world.

The event, supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, coincides with Papua New Guinea’s 50th independence celebrations and provides vital match preparation ahead of September’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier in Fiji.

Selected Squad:

Rachel Andrew (captain) – Ifira / Southern Districts, Darwin

Alvina Chilia (vice-captain) – Splashe Mele Bulls

Leimauri Chilia – Splashe Mele Bulls

Melissa Velvel Faré – Indy Park Chiefs / Kensington District Cricket Club, Adelaide

Anna Griffin – North Efate CC

Natalia Kakor – Indy Park Chiefs

Valenta Langiatu – Splashe Mele Bulls

Vicky Mansale Splashe Mele Bulls / Southern Districts, Darwin

Nasimana Navaika – Tafea CC

Rayline Ova – Splashe Mele Bulls

Naitha Simelum – Indy Park Chiefs

Susan Stephen – Indy Park Chiefs

Mahina Tarimiala – North Efate CC

Vanessa Vira – Indy Park Chiefs

Team Officials

Joshua Rasu – Head Coach

Mary-Estelle Mahuk – Team Manager

Chris Laffan – High Performance Manager

High Performance Manager Chris Laffan said the tournament provides a valuable platform for both development and benchmarking. 

“We’re very grateful to be invited to the PacificAus Sports Invitational in Port Moresby. It’s another opportunity for our women’s team to prepare for the World Cup Qualifier in Fiji, but also to test ourselves against quality opposition,” Laffan said. 

“From the Australian Indigenous team to 13th ranked PNG and Samoa—who’ve put in strong performances against us recently—as a coaching group we’re really excited to be challenged and continue lifting our standards.” 

Among the new faces is 14-year-old Anna Griffin from Port Vila International School, a standout product of the VCA’s school-to-club pathway and a current member of the Interchange Cricket Academy.

Griffin, who already holds a national under-age long jumping record, critically turns 15 on the first day of the tournament – just qualifying within the minimum age allowed under the International Cricket Council’s eligibility criteria.

“Anna is a player we identified through our North Efate and PVIS development link. Her athleticism is impressive, but it’s her attitude, problem-solving ability and desire to improve that stood out,” Laffan added. 

“She’s still very much a work in progress, but she’s earned her place and is definitely one to watch for the future.” 

Long-standing skipper Selina Solman who has been working in Australia has made herself unavailable for this tour and as such star all-rounder Rachel Andrew will make her captaincy debut.

The team departs for Port Moresby on Thursday, with their tournmanet fixtures being:

1. SUN 15 JUN 2PM Vanuatu vs Samoa

2. MON 16 JUN 2PM Vanuatu vs PNG

3. TUE 17 JUN 2PM Vanuatu vs Australian Indigenous

4. THU 19 JUN 2PM Vanuatu vs Samoa

5. FRI 20 JUN 10AM Vanuatu vs PNG

6. SAT 21 JUN 10AM Vanuatu vs Australian Indigenous

All matches will be streamed live and free on YouTube and links will be shared on the VCA's channels.