Japan hold their nerve to claim top spot

In their third cliffhanger in as many days, the Cook Islands were unable to repeat their past two performances with Japan keeping their cool to win their tense Round 3 clash at Independence Park on Day 3 of the East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Cricket Cup tournament in Port Vila, Vanuatu today.

The Cooks batted first in what was the first ever international cricket match between the two sides and yesterday's star Tereapii Mamanu was an early casualty surviving Naoki Miyaji's hattrick ball from yesterday but falling caught behind only two balls later. Chris Brown (31) continued his good batting form but it was Dunu Eliaba who kept the Cooks' innings together. Eliaba arrived at the crease with the score at 2/15 in the 8th over and was the eighth man dismissed in the 29th over with the score at 171. The Cooks then folded like a deck of cards as the final two wickets fell cheaply and the team was dismissed for 177 with 17 overs still to play. Eliaba's intelligent 50 contained five 4's and lasted 95 minutes. Naoki Miyaji (3/32 off 7 overs) and leg spinner Munir Ahmad (3/39 off 6.1 overs) were the pick of the Japanese bowlers.

The Japanese run chase started steadily and after 26 overs they were 3/87 and seemingly in control. Speedster Chris Brown was reintroduced into the attack and had an immediate effect claiming three wickets in five balls to reduce the game to an intriguing contest at 6/90. Number four batter Sriram Sampath watched the carnage from the other end and then placed his own stamp on the game with some classic drives and precision timing. His 69 run partnership with Masaomi Kobayashi swung the game back in Japan's favour. The reintroduction of Dunu Eliaba also had an immediate effect as he trapped Sampath LBW on the crease for a classy 73. Kobayashi and Patrick Giles-Jones were left to score the last 12 runs with Kobayashi fittingly scoring the winning runs in his composed and mature 34no. Chris Brown was superb for his country claiming 5/19 off 10 tireless overs. Japan's gutsy two wicket win places them a game clear on top after three rounds as the only undefeated team.

At KaZaa Field Indonesia lost a wicket in the first over and then went on a run spree amassing 268 all out, the highest score of the tournament so far. Chad Paull struck a rich vein of form with a stylish 74 off 84 balls with wicketkeeper Dan Metclaf (46 off 55 balls) the other standout. Their 87 run partnership took only 13 overs and ensured Samoa would be chasing a big total. Samoa's 23 wides did not help their cause.

Samoa showed courage and commitment with the bat and kept target with the run chase until they ran out of wickets still 39 runs short in only the 41st over. Their 229 all out included a determined 47 from Alton Carmine, 43no from Ben Loka and a swashbuckling 31 off 33 balls from skipper Geoff Clarke. Indonesia has now recorded their first win as Samoa languish in 6th place.

Over at Club Hippique, Tonga continued their impressive form with a comfortable 52 run victory against Vanuatu. Tonga batted first and were again led by veteran Viliami Tupouniua who scored a fine 48 opening the innings. Aiveni Taakimoeaka also contributed 34 in the team's total of 205 all out in the 49th over. Young off spinner Andrew Mansale put the breaks on the Tongan batters in the middle overs and was the pick of the bowlers with 3/20 off his 10 allotted overs.

Vanuatu started slowly and cautiously and were 0/31 before losing three wickets for three runs to be reduced to 3/34. The top order batters were unable to take the challenge up to the Tongan bowlers and two more wickets fell with the score at 66 in the 30th over. The game quickly slipped from grasp as the run rate escalated and the wickets tumbled steadily. Viliami Tupouniua completed his man of the match performance with 4/22 from 9 overs whilst Pierre Chilia kept the slim Vanuatu hopes alive with a run a ball 29. In the end, the task was too great and the Tongan bowling and fielding too committed and the tournament hosts were dismissed in the 49th over for 153.

At the half way mark of the tournament Japan finds itself one game clear on top spot with Cook Islands and Tonga two points behind. Vanuatu still has a chance of qualifying for the final in fourth place with Indonesia and Samoa currently placed 5th and 6th respectively.

Monday is a rest day and the clash of the round on Tuesday will be the Japan versus Vanuatu clash at KaZaa Field, the hosts must win to have any chance of making Thursday's final. Tonga play Indonesia at Independence Park and Cook Islands will enjoy their day of rest before confronting Samoa at Club Hippique.

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.

Round 3 Results:

Cook Islands 177 (Dunu Eliaba 50, Chris Brown 31, Naoki Miyagi 3/32, Munir Ahmad 3/39) lost to Japan 8/178 (S Sampath 73, M Kobayashi 34no, Chris Brown 5/19)

Indonesia 268 (Chad Paull 74, Dan Metcalf 46) defeated Samoa 229 (Alton Carmine 47, Ben Loka 43no, Geoff Clarke 31)

Tonga 205 (Viliami Tuponuina 48, I Taakimoeaka 34, Andrew Mansale 3/20) defeated Vanuatu 153 (Viliami Tuponuina 4/22, I Taakimoeaka 3/33)