Mansale smashes 157 as Vanuatu beats Japan on day 2 of ICC EAP U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale earned the rare distinction of scoring a century and taking five wickets in the same match to inspire his team to a comfortable victory over Japan on the second day of the ICC East-Asia Pacific (EAP) U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Port Vila, Vanuatu on Thursday.

Mansale, who played in the EAP Cup in 2005 and has also represented the region, smashed a whirlwind 157 to steer Vanuatu to 381-8 in 50 overs. He then returned with his off-spinners to claim 5-5 as Japan was bowled out for 34.

Mansale was not the only one to milk the inexperienced Japanese bowling attack. Fred Timakta (61), Simpson Obed (56 not out) and Trevor Langa (23) spent good time in the middle.

For Japan, Naoki Kamatani and Yosuke Higashimoto took three wickets each, conceding 49 and 71 runs respectively.

Meanwhile, at the Club Hippique, Papua New Guinea (PNG) survived a Fiji scare and eventually got home by 38 runs.

PNG, batting first, was bowled out for 118 but successfully defended the small total by bowling Fiji out for 80.

Thursday's results mean that Friday's fixtures will be dress rehearsals for Sunday's matches when Vanuatu meets PNG in the final and Japan takes on Fiji in the play-off.

The winner of Sunday's final will join the four other regional tournament winners, 10 Full Members and hosts Malaysia for the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup to be played from 17 February to 2 March, 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.

The ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup is a vital part of the ICC Development Program and provides a vehicle for the best young cricketers in the world to parade their skills.

Many of the future stars of the game experience their first true international exposure at this tournament and players such as Brian Lara, Michael Atherton, Yuvraj Singh, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Chris Cairns, Michael Clarke, Graeme Smith and Sanath Jayasuriya have used the event as a stepping stone to full international honours.

First staged in Australia in 1988, the tournament was initially organised on an occasional basis, but since the commencement of the ICC Development Program in 1997 it has become a biennial fixture.

The 2010 ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup will be held in Kenya while the 2012 tournament will be staged in Canada and UAE will host the 2014 edition.