[1] A right-handed batsman and right-arm off spin bowler,[2] he has played for the Papua New Guinea national cricket team since the 1997 ICC Trophy.

[5] In 2002, he played in the second Pacifica Cup, top scoring in the final against Tonga to help Papua New Guinea win the tournament.

[9] The following year, he played in the cricket tournament at the 2003 South Pacific Games, top-scoring in the final against Fiji to pick up a gold medal.

[8] Papua New Guinea beat Fiji in the final,[11] to qualify for the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland, where Ovia made his List A debut against the Netherlands.

[12] In 2007, Ovia played for Papua New Guinea at Division Three of the World Cricket League in Darwin, Australia.