CJ Amini comes from a long line of Papua New Guinea cricketing royalty. The third generation of his family to represent the country in cricket, CJ's grandfather Brian and father Charles were both national captains, as was his mother, Kune, for the women's side. His older brother Chris also captained the men's side, while his aunt Cheryl and other brother Colin played for representative PNG sides, leaving little doubt about CJ's future career path.

CJ has lived up to those familial standards by becoming a key cog in PNG's push to secure ODI status since 2014, and see it through some rocky times in the years since. Serving as a longtime vice-captain to Assad Vala, Amini's ability to produce handy spells of legspin in addition to timely contributions with the bat have made him a leader by deed as much as by word.

But Amini is perhaps best known for his dynamic fielding. Whether it is pulling off outrageous one-handed catches or his electric speed to the ball before firing direct hits into the stumps, he has built a reputation as a fielder not worth taking unnecessary risks on.

By the age of 30, Amini was among the top five wicket-takers and run-getters for PNG in ODIs and T20Is. The only missing feather in his cap is being appointed full-time PNG captain, which seems inevitable before his career is through.