Vanuatu and Fiji set for showdown on Saturday
The stage is set for an all-Pacific showdown between Vanuatu and Fiji following day four of the 2017 ICC World Cricket League Qualifier – East Asia-Pacific in Bendigo, Australia.
It was a Pacific whitewash on day four as Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa all won their matches against Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines respectively.
In the closest match of the day, the Philippines won the toss and chose to bat first against Samoa.
Several batsmen got starts for the Philippines with four scoring more than 20, but all failed to go on.
A 50-run partnership between Karweng Ng (26) and Machanda Bidappa (27) steadied the innings before a collapse of 7-23 resulted in the Philippines being bowled out for just 138.
Both Daniel Burgess (3-14) and Faafetai Vaaetasi (3-28) picked up three wickets for Samoa.
The Samoans started their run chase with plenty of intent, going at over five runs an over from the start.
Despite losing six wickets in the chase, Samoa always looked like getting the win and with solid contributions from Uala Taitoe Kaisala (41) and Sean Cotter (29) they did so with plenty of overs to spare.
Vanuatu accounted for Japan by six wickets before lunch in their match, bowling Japan out for just 79.
Apolinaire Liplip Stephen (3-16) went through the Japanese lower order, while Jelany Chilia finished with impressive figures of 2-0.
Patrick Matautaava chipped in with 31 runs in Vanuatu’s chase, while player of the match Nalin Nipiko scored 26 runs and took two wickets.
In today’s other match, Fiji were far too strong for Indonesia winning by 223 runs.
Fiji scored the tournament’s highest score to date, posting 9-309 from their 50 overs.
Player of the match Maciu Gauna top-scored for Fiji with 77 while Imran Khan (50) also registered a half century.
Fiji’s bowlers shared the wickets between them, while Indonesia didn’t help their own cause with three run outs.
As a result, the tournament will be decided by the match between Vanuatu and Fiji at Dower Park on Saturday.
The winner of that match will qualify for the ICC’s World Cricket League Division 5.
Samoa’s final match is against Indonesia, while Japan will be hoping to be get their first win in their final match against the Philippines.
All matches will be live scored through www.icc-cricket.com/world-cricket-league/east-asia-pacific.
The ICC is delivering the tournament in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo and with support from the Victorian Government through the Significant Sporting Events Program.Summary of results:
Philippines 138 (50 overs) Bidappa 27, Hill 26, Burgess 3/14 (7), Vaaetasi 3/28 (9) defeated by Samoa 6/140 (32.2 overs) Kaisala 41, Cotter 29 by 4 wickets
Japan 79 (26.2 overs) Stephen 3/16 (9), Chilia 2/0 (1.2) defeated by Vanuatu 4/80 (18.4 overs) Matautaava 31, Nipiko 26 by 6 wickets
Fiji 9/309 (50 overs) Gauna 77, I Khan 50, J Kida 37, Aulia 4/56 defeated Indonesia 9/86 (39.4 overs) Vuniwaqa 2/18 (9.4 overs) by 223 runs
To see the points table in full, please click here.