PAPUA New Guinea dominated the 14-man squad to represent the East-Asia Pacific (EAP) region at the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) to be held in Mackay, Queensland, on Jan 6-17 next year.
The team will be captain by PNG own Rarua Dikana and is made up of one Cook Islander, one Japanese, and one Vanuatu while the rest of the team members are from PNG.
The full EAP squad is: Rarua Dikana (PNG) – Captain, Chris Amini (PNG), Colin Amini (PNG)
Hitolo Areni (PNG), Jamie Brazier (PNG), Mahuru Dai (PNG), Jacob Mado (PNG) Ipi Morea (PNG), Loa Nou (PNG), John Ovia (PNG) and Assad Vala (PNG), Dunu Eliaba (Cook Islands)
Masaomi Kobayashi (Japan) and Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu)
The selection of the squad for the ACCC follows the recent completion of an intensive two week camp held at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.
Both the camp and ACCC form part of the EAP high performance programme which is designed to assist the development of the region’s leading players and countries.
Commenting on the squad selected for the ACCC, ICC EAP development officer Ben Oliver said: “Performances throughout the camp were encouraging and as always selection was difficult given the talent coming through Under 19 and senior national squad programmes.”
PNG all-rounder Rarua Dikana will again Captain the EAP squad which includes eight players returning from last season’s ACCC. Cook Islands pace bowler Dunu Eliaba and PNG batsman Chris Amini return to the squad, while Japan batsman Masaomi Kobayashi and PNG trio Colin Amini, Jacob Mado and Loa Nou have all been selected for their first ACCC.
“The nucleus of the squad now has considerable experience at this level. Some exciting young players have been added to the mix and the squad will be looking to build on the improved performances recorded at the last two Championships,” continued Mr. Oliver.
The ACCC comprises five two-day games played over a 12-day period, and includes state country teams from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Victoria won the 2007 title held in Mildura, Victoria.