Cooks steal home in a thriller at Kazza Field
The Cook Islands survived their second nailbiter in two days with a 40 run 10th wicket partnership to defeat Vanuatu by one wicket in Round 2 of the East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Cricket Cup tournament in Port Vila, Vanuatu today
The Cook Islands survived their second nailbiter in two days with a 40 run 10th wicket partnership to defeat Vanuatu by one wicket in Round 2 of the East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Cricket Cup tournament in Port Vila, Vanuatu today.
The hosts batted first and a cautious opening batting display designed to see off the dangerous Cooks opening attack of Chris Brown (2/29 off 10 overs) and Dunu Eliaba (2/29 off 10 overs) saw the first ten overs yield only 19 runs for the cost of two wickets. With the bowling change young tyro Andrew Mansale (40) and veteran Rod Day (46) assumed control and steadily built a 72 run 3rd wicket partnership to set up a late innings run chase to post a competitive score. Number eight Ben Kingsbury (35no of 27 balls) provided the spark and the momentum for Vanuatu to rattle off 62 runs in the last ten overs. The final score of 9/199 was sure to test the Cooks against the enthusiastic Vanuatu bowlers and fielders.
Chris Brown (20 off 30 balls) and Tereapii Mamanu (43 off 62 balls) put on 54 in 16 overs for the 1st wicket to set up the chase and at 3/87 the Cooks were seemingly in control. Enter Vanuatu skipper Pierre Chilia. Chilia picked up the crucial wickets of Dunu Eliaba (with a sharp caught and bowled) and top scorer Mamanu in his first over to change the pace and scope of the game. As the tension rose, the Cooks started to stumble and slumped to 9/154 with 10 overs still to play.
Some lusty hitting from Moumou Marurai (29no) was coupled with the deft nudging of Ioane Tangimetua (11no) to provide the ideal combination to steer the Cooks to a thrilling victory in front of a large and anxious pro-Vanuatu crowd. Chilia finished with 3/53 from his 9 overs and Patrick Haines claimed 3/28 in his 10 tight overs.
Japan completed back to back victories with a solid 61 run victory against East Asian rival Indonesia at Club Hippique. Batting first Japan built steadily and cautiously throughout their innings before being bowled out for 180 in the 45th over. Hirokazu Takahashi provided the mainstay of the innings with a patient and committed 50 in 94 balls whilst Munir Ahmad provided a breezy cameo with 27 in 23 balls batting at number three. Medium pacer Ashwin Sundar (5/42 off 9.2 overs) was well supported by Zac Awang (3/7 off 2 overs) in the Indonesian attack.
Indonesia also fared well early with both openers (Rob Hindmarsh 13 and Subhash Modgil 16) getting starts but neither were able to go on with it. Chad Paull (31 off 51 balls) looked dangerous but lacked support as Japanese seamer Naoki Miyaji snared 5/26 in 8.1 overs to run through the Indonesian middle order. The last six wickets fell for only 23 runs and Indonesia fell for 119, 61 runs short of their target. Wicketkeeper Tetsuro Chino also had a good day behind the stumps taking four good catches.
At Independence Park, left arm quick Sione Tupou Pese claimed 5/29 off seven overs as Tonga thumped Samoa by 155 runs in the clash of traditional rivals. A Tongan outfit looking to make amends after yesterday's narrow loss outclassed a depleted Samoa in a game which is always a highlight on the international calendar no matter what the sport.
Batting first, Tonga were dismissed for 229 in only the 40th over with Nikolasi Moala (41), Viliami Tupouniua (33) and Simione Latu (33) all making significant contributions without going on to post big individual scores. Wickets were spread with Lautala Fuimmanco (3/34 off 10), Peni Ioka (3/52 off 7.3) and Ben Anae (2/30 off 8) all amongst the spoils.
Samoa started aggressively in their run chase but lost wickets at all too regular intervals with Pese bowling with pace and control with the new ball. The innings was all over for 74 in 17.1 overs with Paul Meyer the last man out run out for 6. Opener Niko Apa showed commitment and courage by carrying his bat through the innings for 30.
The highlight of Round 3 tomorrow promises to be the top of the table clash at Independence Park between the undefeated teams of Cook Islands and Japan. Vanuatu will be looking to atone for today's narrow loss against a rejuvenated Tonga at Club Hippique whilst Samoa and Indonesia will be looking for their first victory in their clash at KaZaa Field.
The EAP Cricket Cup will continue with Round 3 tomorrow and concludes with finals on Thursday 29 September. Daily results can be found at www.icc-eap-cricket.com by following the EAP Cricket Cup link.
Round 2 Results:
Vanuatu 199 (Rod Day 46, Andrew Mansale 40, Ben Kingsbury 35no) lost to Cook Islands 9/204 (Tereapii Mamanu 43, Jonathon Kairua 33, Patrick Haines 3/28, Pierre Chilia 3/51)
Japan 180 (Hirokazu Takahashi 50, Ashwin Sundar 5/42, Zac Awang 3/7) defeated Indonesia 119 (Chad Paull 31, Naoki Miyaji 5/26)
Tonga 229 (Nikolasi Moala 41, Viliami Tupouniua 33, Simione Latu 33, Lautola Fuimmanco 3/34, Peni Ioka 3/52) defeated Samoa 74 (Niko Apa 30no, Sione Tupou Pese 5/29)