East Asia-Pacific to take on Country Australia's best

Australian Country Cricket Championships

Following the recent completion of the East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Training Camp at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, Australia from 7-18 November, the ICC Development Program today announced the squad of 14 to represent the EAP XI during the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC). The ACCC will be held in Mandurah, Western Australia from 3-14 January 2006.

The ACCC involves five two-day games over twelve days with Queensland Country, Victoria Country, New South Wales Country, Western Australia Country, South Australia Country and EAP making up the six-team event. Queensland Country was victorious in the 2005 Championships held in Lismore, New South Wales.

The EAP XI comprises the cream of cricket talent selected from the region's developing cricket countries. The team was selected after the initial 23-man EAP Squad was put through their paces during a two-week camp at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence under the watchful eye of Head Coach Tim Nielsen. Further coaches included Senior Coaches Brian MacFadyen and Jamie Siddons, AIS Scholarship Coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick and EAP Development Officer Martin Gleeson.

Players representing Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Japan, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga and Indonesia were involved in the Camp with the focus for the first week on video analysis, skill development and coaching with two day and one day games against Toowoomba and Queensland U19 highlighting the second week.

"The opportunity to be involved in the Camp and then play in the ACCC is a very significant one for the region's top players" commented EAP Development Officer and EAP XI Coach Martin Gleeson "The tournament provides a tough and competitive learning environment exposing players to elite two day cricket equivalent in standard to that of the leading Associate countries."

The 2006 EAP XI comprises nine players from Papua New Guinea, two each from Fiji and Cook Islands and one from Vanuatu.

All rounder Chris Brown (Cook Islands) and top order batter Mahuru Dai (PNG) rejoin the team after a year's absence with 17 year old Assad Vala (PNG) and 19 year old Kitiano Tavo (Fiji) joining Fijian Tikovanualevu Kida and Papua New Guinean Gimapau Keimelo as the team's newcomers.

PNG skipper Rarua Dikana will captain the side for the third year in a row with Chris Brown his deputy. 2005 Australian Country Representative Jamie Brazier (PNG) was also named in the team after averaging 46.36 with the bat over the two previous ACCCs whilst left arm speedster Toka Gaudi (PNG) was unavailable for selection due to a shoulder injury.

"The team is very even in standard and contains a well balanced mix of young talent and players with international cricket experience." Gleeson continued "The EAP XI is the elite of the ICC Development Program across East Asia - Pacific and the team has been selected not only on their performances during the Camp but also on their work ethic and potential for ongoing improvement."

The team will arrive in Perth on 30 December with a three day training camp preceding the first game against Western Australia Country on 3-4 January.

The 2006 EAP XI is:

Rarua Dikana (PNG) - Captain
Chris Brown (Cook Islands) - Vice Captain
Jamie Brazier (PNG)
Mahuru Dai (PNG)
Dunu Eliaba (Cook Islands)
Ipi Morea (PNG)
John Ovia (PNG)
Arua Uda (PNG)
Hitolo Areni (PNG)
Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu)
Tikovanualevu Kida (Fiji)
Gimapau Kiemelo (PNG)
Kitiano Tavo (Fiji)
Assad Vala (PNG)

Queensland v Victoria - Settlers Hill, Baldivis New South Wales v South Australia - Stan Twight Reserve, Rockingham Western Australia v East Asia Pacific - Peelwood Parade, Mandurah

Round 2 Thursday 5 & Friday 6 January, 2006

Queensland v New South Wales - Warnbro Rec, Rockingham Victoria v East Asia Pacific - Stan Twight Reserve, Rockingham South Australia v Western Australia - Waroona Rec, Waroona

Rest Day - Saturday 7 January, 2006

Round 3 Sunday 8 & Monday 9 January, 2006

South Australia v Queensland - Peelwood Parade, Mandurah Western Australia v Victoria - Stan Twight Reserve, Rockingham East Asia Pacific v New South Wales - Pinjarra Reserve, Pinjarra

Round 4 Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 January, 2006

Western Australia v Queensland - Settlers Hill, Baldivis New South Wales v Victoria - Waroona Rec, Waroona East Asia Pacific v South Australia - Stan Twight Reserve, Rockingham

Rest Day - Thursday 12 January, 2006

Round 5 Friday 13 & Saturday 14 January, 2006

Queensland v East Asia Pacific - Stan Twight Reserve, Rockingham Victoria v South Australia - Warnbro Rec, Rockingham New South Wales v Western Australia - Peelwood Parade, Mandurah