In-form Tau guides team to wins at c’ship

THE International Cricket Council East-Asia-Pacific women’s team won their third match in the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Shepparton, Victoria, after defeating New South Wales Country by seven wickets on Wednesday.
For the first time in the event, EAP fielded first and managed to restrict NSW to only 88/9 off their allotted 20 overs.
It was a determined team effort by the EAP side, with City Pharmacy PNG Lewas leg spinner Kaia Arua (2-14) leading the way picking up two wickets while four other Lewas picked up a wicket apiece.
In reply, PNG batters, Brenda Tau (34 not) and Vanuatu’s Velinda Langiatu (23) put on a 49-run opening wicket partnership to take the match away from NSW.
Then EAP lost three wickets quickly before Veru Kila Frank (12 not) joined Tau to guide the EAP to the target of 89 in the 18th over.
Earlier on Tuesday (Jan 8) Tau hit an unbeaten 52 for EAP (136/6) while Vicky Ara’a (3-18) took three wickets in their 55-run win over the Northern Territory (81/5).
On Monday the EAP lost a thrilling encounter to Victoria Country. Tau was in good form with the bat scoring 31 runs off 27 balls to help his side to 7/106 with the Victorians reaching the target for a one-wicket victory.
This is the third time that the ICC EAP Women’s Team has competed in the famous ACCC.
In 2017, the EAP Women’s Team won the inaugural title after defeating Victoria in the final by eight wickets while in last year they finished fifth. Nine Lewas players are in the EAP side including Sibona Jimmy, who is attending her third championship, Brenda Tau, Vicky Ara’a, Kaia Arua, Veru Kila Frank and Tanya Ruma, who are representing for the second time while Mairi Tom, Naoani Vare and Isabel Toua have been selected for the first time. Match Summaries:
Mon, Jan 7 – EAP 106/7 (Brenda Tau 31, Sibona Jimmy 20, Kaia Arua 16 not out) defeated by Victoria 110/9 (Tanya Ruma 3-8, Kaia Arua 1-11, Veru Kila Frank 1-16) by 1 wicket.
Tues, Jan 8 – EAP 136/6 (Brenda Tau 52 not out, Sibona Jimmy 11, Kaia Arua 12) defeated Northern Territory 81/5 (Vicky Ara’a 3-18, Naoani Vare 1-11, Sibona Jimmy 1-12) by 55 runs.
Wed, Jan 9 – NSW Country 88/9 (Kaia Arua 2-14, Mairi Tom 1-10, Sibona Jimmy 1-10, Vicky Ara’a 1-13, Veru Kila Frank 1-17) defeated by EAP 89/3 (Brenda Tau 34 not out, Veru Kila Frank 12 not out) by seven wickets with 14 balls to spare.