Return of the star: Vicky Ara’a propels Cassowaries to victory in women’s 50-over opener

Vicky Ara'a with the player of the match award following her impressive return (Image: Supplied)

Following an 18-month hiatus from top-flight cricket, veteran bowler Vicky Ara’a made a triumphant return to the pitch on Monday, July 27, driving the Cassowaries to a dramatic three-wicket victory over the Black Bass.

The opening clash of the 2026 Boroko Motors ISUZU Women’s 50-Over Tournament at Amini Park turned into a personal showcase for the 30-year-old, whose devastating spell dismantled the opposition's lineup and announced her intent to return to national squad selection.

Ara’a claimed Player of the Match honors after delivering 6 wickets for just 14 runs across 6.4 overs. Her dominant performance restricted the Black Bass Women to a modest 89 runs, a target the Cassowaries eventually overhauled despite a hard-fought chase.

For the former PNG Lewas international, the performance was a testament to patience and perseverance after taking time away from competitive national tournaments.

"It has been a very long time. I left cricket for about a year and six months," Ara’a said. "It feels so good to be back and to see the girls and women I played with some years back."

While absent from the elite national domestic scene, Ara’a maintained her competitive edge playing for the Hoods Cricket Club in the local Port Moresby Cricket Association [POMCA] competition.

Now, she balances her athletic resurgence with academics, working towards a Diploma in Business at the Institute of Business Studies [IBS] University in Port Moresby.

Ara’a’s cricketing roots trace back to Lae, where she began playing backyard cricket at age 12 before moving through regional junior development pathways. By 2018, she relocated to Port Moresby and earned a spot in the PNG Lewas squad, going on to represent her country at the senior international level for nearly eight years.

Her six-wicket haul in the tournament opener serves as a reminder to national selectors monitoring talent throughout the ISUZU 50-Over competition.

"I am trying my best to show I still have what it takes to be part of a cricket team," Ara'a said.

With her dominant opening-round performance, Ara’a has firmly re-established herself as one of the standout players to watch as the Boroko Motors ISUZU tournament continues.