Behind the cricket matches: Vani Morea shares his passion for the cricket pitch

All cricket matches begin and end with people behind the scenes to make sure every match goes is successful. One of the most important aspects of the game is the pitch which is the surface where every ball is bowled, every bat hits and every run is made.

At the start of this responsibility for Cricket Papua New Guinea is Vani Morea, the Grounds Manager, who has dedicated his life to both playing and maintaining the cricket pitch of the sport he loves.

For Morea, cricket has been part of his life since childhood. “When I started my cricket career, I was about five or six years old, playing backyard cricket,” he recalls.

Growing up near the Kavari Field in Hanubada village, Morea was surrounded by cricket from the very beginning. His father and uncles were players, and following in their footsteps came naturally.

From junior competitions, he progressed into higher levels of the game, eventually earning his place in the Barramundis, Papua New Guinea’s male national team, in 2007. His debut came at the South Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, a proud milestone in a career that stretched until his retirement in 2018.

One memory stands out above all others: scoring 102 not out against Kenya in 2016, during PNG’s first-ever One Day International on home soil.

“That was the best memory,” Morea says with a smile. “To score a hundred in front of the home crowd, to lift my bat for my family, my teammates, and for PNG that was special.”

After retiring as a player, Morea transitioned into a new role that kept him close to the game. His training included time in Australia, where he learned pitch preparation in Darwin, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane’s Centre of Excellence. Those experiences prepared him for the job he now holds: ensuring that Amini Park and whenever needed too, other cricket facilities in PNG are in top condition for matches.

“Preparation is the key,” Morea explains. “If you prepare the ground well, the tournament will finish well. If you don’t, it will fall apart in the middle. My job is to make sure the players and families enjoy cricket on a safe and quality field.”

Today, he leads a small team of grounds men which include, four permanent staff and several casual workers brought in during tournaments, to maintain the pitches, practice nets, and outfield. His daily routine depends on the weather, with watering, rolling, and repairs timed carefully to keep wickets playable.

The role is demanding, especially with limited equipment, but Morea remains passionate. “I want more people to come and play cricket, especially young ones,” he says. “I’m always available to teach and share my experience with them. The older players, I tell them to keep fighting. Cricket teaches resilience.”

Morea’s work was most visible during the recent Inaugural PacificAus Sports Cricket Invitational 2025 held in May which brought teams from Australia, Vanuatu, and Samoa to Amini Park, Port Moresby. His efforts ensured the event was hailed as one of the most successful international tournaments ever hosted in PNG.

“With Port Moresby's weather, the international tournament was a great challenge, but preparation and teamwork got us through,” he reflects.

Away from cricket field, Morea is a family man living with his wife and children in Hanubada. His life remains deeply tied to the community where his cricket story first began.

For Morea, whether as a player or now as a groundsman, cricket has always been about more than just a game. “It’s about family, community, and giving something back to the sport that gave me so much,” he says.

“I love this job. As long as I’m here, I will make sure the grounds are ready for the next matches and tournament.”