Five teams still in the hunt for EAP Cricket Cup

With a rest day today following three completed rounds all teams are nursing their bodies and reassessing their goals to prepare for an assault on the second half of the East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Cricket Cup tournament in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

After Round 3 the tension is rapidly mounting as five of the six competing teams can still mathematically qualify for Thursday's final. Today we file a report card on the fortunes of the six competing teams.

Japan has been the tournament front runners with three wins and is the only team yet to be conquered. After comprehensive victories against Samoa and Indonesia they passed the test against the Cook Islands in Round 3. The Japanese bowling and enthusiastic fielding have been their main weapons as their three opponents have yet to bat their full 50 overs. Medium pacer Naoki Miyaji has been the main striker with 8 wickets at an impressive average of 7.50 and an imposing strike rate of 13.5 balls per wicket. Sriram Sampath, aided by his classy 73 against the Cooks, is their leading run scorer with 93 runs at an average of 31.

After a narrow loss in Round 1, Tonga have bounced back to record two impressive victories against Samoa and Vanuatu to be sitting ready to strike in second position with a Net Run Rate of 1.06. They have also been very impressive in the field with veteran Viliami Tupouniua the star with 8 wickets at the incredible average of 5.38 and 81 runs at 27.00 with the bat. Left arm opener Sione Tupou Pese has also been dangerous claiming 5 wickets (average of 8.80) at the miserly rate of 2.0 runs per over.

The two leading bowlers in the tournament are the Cook Islanders opening pace battery of Chris Brown (11 wickets at 5.27) and Dunu Eliaba (9 wickets at 8.44). Brown, an imposing six foot five with a shaved head and Eliaba, six foot and with a mass of flowing black locks, are contrasting in styles and appearance but have been very dangerous in tandem with the new ball. Brown (98 runs at an average of 32.67) and Eliaba (78 runs at 26) have also been the Cooks best performed batters.

Tournament hosts Vanuatu are rueing their last gasp loss to Cook Islands as they face an uphill battle to qualify for final. After a stirring win against Indonesia in Round 1, the Round 2 one wicket loss against the Cooks was followed by being outplayed by a committed Tonga in Round 3. Their Net Run Rate (-0.08) is only marginally ahead of Indonesia's (-0.51) and they will need to comprehensively win their last two games against Japan and Samoa and hope other results go their way. Seventeen year old Andrew Mansale is currently the tournament's leading run scorer with 128 runs at 42.67 with team mate Rod Day hot on his heels with 118 runs at 39.33. Big quick Patrick Haines has been Vanuatu's most effective bowler with 6 wickets at 17.83.

Indonesia currently sits in 5th place on Net Run Rate with their only victory recorded against Samoa on Sunday. After below par batting displays against Vanuatu (192) and Japan (118), their batters hit their straps against Samoa amassing 268, the highest team score of the tournament. Chad Paull is the third highest scorer overall with 105 runs at an average of 35.00. Robert Hindmarsh and wicketkeeper Dan Metcalf have also been useful contributors both scoring 86 runs at 28.67. Right arm medium pacer Ashwin Sundar claimed 5/42 against Japan for 6 wickets at 16.83 overall.

Samoa, reduced to nine players due to bringing ineligible players to the tournament, has nevertheless played with passion and pride in their three games. Whilst being undermanned they have been competitive with the ball and enthusiastic and committed in the field. They gave Indonesia a scare in Round 3 and don't be surprised if they score a win or two in the last couple of days. Fuimaono Konelio has been their best bowler snaring 6 wickets at 16.67 and Alton Carmine has contributed 73 runs at 24.33 opening the innings.

The Japan versus Vanuatu clash at KaZaa Field on Tuesday shapes as a crucial one to shape the tournament with Vanuatu needing to have a big win to keep their final hopes alive. Due to the tight nature of the tournament even another Japanese victory does not guarantee qualification and their final destiny may not be unveiled until their Round 5 stoush with Tonga.

Tonga head to Independence Park to face Indonesia on Wednesday and a victory there will potentially set up a virtual semi final against Japan on Wednesday at KaZaa Field.

Indonesia's hopes of making the final are slim and they will need to win both their games well and hope that Samoa beat Cook Islands (Round 4) and Japan beat Tonga (Round 5). Vanuatu's task is even tougher and more complicated and as well as defeating Japan and Samoa they will need a myriad of results to work in their favour to be able to claim a spot in the final and hence qualify for 2006 EAP Cricket Trophy.

The EAP Cricket Cup will continue with Round 4 on Tuesday 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.

Ladder After Round 3

Top Run Scorers
Top Wicket Takers

1. Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu) 128
1. Chris Brown (Cook Islands) 11

2. Rodd Day (Vanuatu) 118
2. Teunu Eliaba (Cook Islands) 9

3. Chad Paull (Indonesia) 105
3. Viliami Tupounia (Tonga) 8

4. Chris Brown (Cook Islands) 98
4. Naoki Miyaji (Japan) 8

5. Sriram Sampath (Japan) 93
5. Fuimaono Konelio (Samoa) 6