Jersey, August 2025 — What began as a promising campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League has taken a dramatic detour for Papua New Guinea (PNG) wicketkeeper-batsman Kipling Doriga. The 29-year-old was arrested on charges of robbery in the early hours of August 25 in St Helier, Jersey, as the tournament unfolded.
Legal Proceedings Take a Serious Turn
Doriga appeared before Jersey’s Magistrate’s Court on August 27, where he pleaded guilty to the robbery charge. The severity of the offense prompted Relief Magistrate Rebecca Morley-Kirk to deny bail and refer the case to the Royal Court—a clear indication of its.
A new date has been set for November 28, by which time Doriga will remain in custody until his next court appearance.
Career at Crossroads
On the Field:
- A key figure for PNG, Doriga has represented his country in two T20 World Cups (2021 and 2024), and played 39 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 43 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
- In the ongoing Challenge League, he posted a respectable 68 off 84 balls against Denmark, followed by 12 off 29 balls versus Kuwait—though PNG suffered defeats in both matches.
- Depending on the source, his cumulative runs across all formats exceed 1,000 or even 2,500, but the exact figure remains around that milestone.
Off the Field:
Cricket PNG has swiftly responded, stating that Doriga’s personal legal troubles will not define the team’s broader character or derail their campaign, emphasizing a distinction between individual behaviour and collective effort.
Tournament Implications
The ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League forms part of the qualification pathway for associate nations targeting the 2027 Cricket World Cup. PNG’s campaign, underway in Jersey during August 2025, is crucial for its progression. Doriga’s absence introduces uncertainty—but the team insists its resolve remains intact.
