PNG has 14 in EAP sides

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia Pacific (EAP) men’s and women’s teams that will compete in the 2018 Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) in Geraldton, Western Australia, will have 14 Papua New Guinea players after the squads were finalised last month.
The EAP men’s team will have six PNG players and eight Vanuatu players.
All the PNG players have already played for the Hebou PNG Barramundis but Sese Bau and Damien Ravu will be making their debut in the ACCC.
The team will be coached by Joe Rika (Fiji) and Shane Deitz (Vanuatu). The ACCC men’s T20 competition is from Jan 5-13.
The EAP women’s team has eight PNG players, four Vanuatu players and one Samoan player. All the PNG players have already played for the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas but Brenda Tau and Vicky Ara’a will be making their debuts at the championship.
The team will be coached by Eddie Mansale (Vanuatu) and Bebe Miyaji (Japan).
The ACCC women’s competition is Jan 7-13.
The ACCC is an annual tournament which showcases the best cricket talent from regional areas around Australia, with teams from all around Australia and from the East Asia Pacific region.
The tournament was first held in Beenleigh in Queensland in 1984/85 and since then has been held in each state on a rotational basis, with the 2018 championships held in Geraldton, WA.
Cricket Australia executive general manager of game and market development Andrew Ingleton, said: “The Australian Country Cricket Championships are a great celebration of country cricket, providing Australia’s best regional players with the opportunity to test their skills at a high level of competition.
“Regional areas continue to produce quality cricketers, from the great Sir Donald Bradman to current Australian star Josh Hazlewood, and previous country championships players including Andy Bichel, Michael Bevan and Shaun Tait.
Last year, the EAP women’s team were crowned the 2017 Commonwealth Bank Australian Country Cricket Champions for the second year in a row while the EAP men’s team won three out of their 10 matches.
For fixtures, results, ladders and statistics from the 2018 Toyota Australian Country Cricket Championships, head to www.countrychamps.com.au
Squads: EAP Men – Sese Bau, Damien Ravu, Kipling Doriga, Nosiana Pokana, Hiri Hiri, Jason Kila (PNG), Patrick Matautaava, Nalin Nipiko, Wesley Viraliliu, Joshua Rasu, Rinald Tari, Jelany Chilia, Williamsing Nalisa, Trevor Langa (Vanuatu); EAP Women – Brenda Tau, Vicky Ara’a, Kaia Arua, Pauke Siaka, Konio Oala, Helen Buruka, Ravini Oa, Sibona Jimmy (PNG), Selina Solman, Rachel Andrew, Leimauri Chilia, Judy Avok (Vanuatu), FIlimaua Malotutoatasi (Samoa).
Fixtures: Men’s division – Fri, Jan 5 Rd 1 – EAP v Queensland Country, Rd 2 EAP v South Australia Country; Sat, Jan 6 Rd 3 – EAP v New South Wales Country, Rd 4 – EAP v Western Australia Country; Sun, Jan 7 Rd 5 – EAP v Victoria Country; Women’s division – Sun, Jan 7 Rd 1 – EAP v South Australia Country; Mon, Jan 8 Rd 2 – EAP v Queensland Country, Rd 4 – EAP v Western Australia Country; Tues, Jan 9 Rd 4 – EAP v Victoria Country.