Papua New Guinea cricket is grieving the death of star allrounder Kaia Arua aged 33, the second tragedy to strike the women’s team in just five years.
Arua died at Port Moresby General Hospital on Thursday.
The news plunged the PNG cricket community into mourning and brought back difficult memories of wicketkeeper Kopi John’s death aged 25 in 2019 following a battle with illness.
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Arua first debuted for the PNG Lewas in 2010 and captained the team when they first began playing full-fledged T20 international cricket in 2018.
The left-arm wrist spinner featured in the team’s Pacific Cup triumph in January this year.
Arua captained PNG in 39 T20 internationals with official ICC status, recording 29 wins, and she holds the team record for the most T20I wickets with 59.
“Our sincere condolences and love go to her family, including coach John Ovia and Lucy Ovia, who have both been long-serving staff here at Cricket PNG,” chief executive Richard Done said.
“Kaia had a remarkable playing career with the Lewas and at the right time we will be recognising that contribution.”
Arua is survived by her partner, daughter and son as well as her mother, who also once played for the PNG women’s team and helped raise Arua’s children during cricket tours.
Arua spent time playing for Adelaide Cricket Club late last year, with the club mourning her death this week.
The Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea also said it was saddened by the news of Arua’s death.
“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Kaia’s family, friends, teammates and the cricket fraternity in PNG,” it said.
“Kaia was no stranger to the High Commission, admired for her leadership and dedication to the sport.”
Arua took part in the Fairbreak T20 tournament with the Falcons, where she teamed up with the likes of Suzie Bates, Chamari Athapaththu, Danni Wyatt, Marizanne Kapp and Sophie Devine.
“Horrible news,” prominent commentator Adam Collins wrote after learning of Arua’s death.
“Kaia Arua was such a big part of the joyous Fairbreak tournaments and also a huge contributor to PNG’s rise.
“She has passed away just days after they defeated full member Zimbabwe, a landmark moment that could never have happened before her leadership.”
Fellow commentator Georgie Heath said: “Terribly sad news. A wonderful lady with a beautiful soul who I was lucky enough to get to know across two Fairbreak tournaments. Thoughts are with her family and the wider Cricket PNG family.”
ICC staffer Daniel Beswick wrote: “This is horrible news. Kaia was a great leader for the Lewas: Quiet and pensive with such a deep wisdom for the game of cricket. “A joy to watch on the field too — the most free left-arm wrist-spin, a rarity in women’s international cricket — that she used with great effect.”