Papua New Guinea captain Rarua Dikana is hoping former England wicket-keeper Geraint Jones plays a huge part in his side becoming one of the two sides to qualify from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 scheduled to be held in UAE from 13 to 24 March.

The tournament will see 16 teams from across ICC's five regions competing for the remaining two places at the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 which will be staged from 18 September to 7 October in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele.

Jones, who will play for Papua New Guinea (PNG), has played 34 Tests, 49 ODIs and two T20Is for England between 2004 and 2006.

"The players are excited to meet him and can't wait to take the field alongside him. We are training and play as a team with Geraint in a five-day pre-tournament camp in Canberra.

"He is a good inclusion in the side given his capabilities to perform at the highest levels of cricket and pretty much balances our batting department. He will be the second option ‘keeper for the tournament and he has been spoken to in that regard and he understands his roles in the team," informed Dikana.

Apart from Jones, PNG have every reason to be optimistic about its chances considering the exposure the players have had playing cricket in Australia.

"Almost every player in the team has spent time playing cricket in Australia in the last two years which is in line with our preparation for the tournament as we see it as an opportunity to stamp our mark as a cricketing nation. Currently 10 players are based in Australia playing club cricket and have been performing extremely well for their clubs," revealed Dikana.

According to Dikana, the nature of Twenty20 cricket suits his side because they are naturally aggressive players.

"Natural flair is the trade mark of the team and T20 format suits our style. We also have a strong ground fielding unit with very athletic young players who can cover good grounds on the field. Assad Vala is having a good season with the bat in Australia and Joel Tom is also the leading wicket-taker for his club in Australia. So they are two of the players to watch out," informed Dikana.

PNG is placed in Group A of the tournament alongside Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Nepal and Netherlands. Dikana is confident his side can stand up to the challenge.

"Afganistan, Netherlands and Canada have been playing regularly at the highest level. We know they are pretty good sides given the exposure they've had. We have to give everything when playing these sides and play good basic cricket. Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark and Nepal are teams we have played recently in WCL and have a fair idea of them," said Dikana.

PNG has a new coach in Peter Anderson following the departure of former Australia internationals Andy Bichel and Brad Hogg. Bichel went on to become an Australia selector and Hogg was called up to the Australia Twenty20 squad.

"Peter Anderson is a former first-class cricketer from Australia who has played a lot of cricket for Queensland. A wicket-keeper himself, Peter, still plays at club level in Australia and is full of energy. I'm sure that energy will be transformed into the players he coaches to excel and perform at the highest level," reckoned Dikana.

Dikana is excited about the prospect of possibly facing Hogg at the ICC World Twenty20 if his side qualifies.

"Wouldn't it be a good thing to play in the ICC World T20 and be up against Hoggy? But I'm not going to get too far ahead of myself and will concentrate on the task that is right ahead of us which is performing well at the ICC WT20 Qualifier," concluded Dikana.