EAP take on country cricket's finest

EAP team members Toka Gaudi and Dunu Eliaba with Australian vice captain Adam Gilchrist © ICC

The ICC East Asia - Pacific XI (EAP XI) will again compete in the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) to be held in Lismore, New South Wales from 4-15 January 2005.

The annual ACCC is the pinnacle of country cricket in Australia and EAP XI will join Victoria Country, Western Australia Country, South Australia Country, Queensland Country and New South Wales Country in the 2005 event. During the tournament each team will play five two day games over 12 competition days.

The EAP XI squad of 14 comprises the best cricket talent from EAP member countries. The team is selected based on national team performances over the past 12 months and from the EAP Squad Camp held at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence in Brisbane from 7-20 November 2004.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for the ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Program to be involved in the ACCC" commented EAP XI Coach Martin Gleeson. "For players from developing countries to be able to pit their skills against elite country cricketers in Australia will further develop these players thus contributing to the ongoing development of their respective national teams."

Five players will make their EAP XI debut during the tournament with PNG Captain Rarua Dikana again leading the side.

Results of all EAP matches will be posted on the EAP website at www.icc-eap-cricket.com.

The draw for the EAP XI:

4-5 Jan - v Western Australia
6-7 Jan - v New South Wales
9-10 Jan - v South Australia
11-12 Jan - v Queensland
14-15 Jan - v Victoria

EAP XI 2005: Rarua Dikana (PNG) - Captain, John Ovia (PNG), Chris Amini (PNG), Arua Uda (PNG), Inoa Baeau (PNG), Munir Ahmad (Japan), Jamie Brazier (PNG), Hitolo Areni (PNG), Dunu Eliaba (Cook Islands), Jummei Hanada (Japan), Toka Gaudi (PNG), Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu), Ipi Morea (PNG), Kauna Vagi (PNG).