A win and a loss for EAP in T20 matches
Entertainment was at an all-time high today at the Australian Country Cricket Championships with the tournament's two rounds of T20 matches played.
The ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) put in a strong performance in the morning only to go down narrowly in a slogfest against Victoria Country, before responding in the best way possible with a commanding victory over South Australia Country.
"We simply didn't bowl well enough against Victoria and despite our best efforts it was just too hard to get the runs," said EAP coach Rarua Dikana. "However I was very proud of how the boys responded in the afternoon matches both with the bat and ball."
Any confidence the EAP side gained from yesterday's two day victory over the ACT was quickly put to sleep in the morning T20 match as Victoria Country piled on a massive 2-228 off their 20 overs.
Things then went from bad to worse at the start of the chase when PNG's Tony Ura was stumped for a duck.
However with nothing to lose Assad Vala (PNG) and Chris Kent (PNG) began sending balls out of the park in all directions and suddenly it was game on with EAP 1-70 off just six overs.
When Vala departed for 49 off 23 balls it brought Vanuatu's Andrew Mansale to the crease and the assault continued.
The pair took the score to 138 in the 13th over and the most unlikeliest of victories was suddenly a possibility.
However the introduction of Mornington Peninsula all-rounder Justin Grant turned the game on its head again as he singlehandedly took the game away from EAP with amazing figures of 6-26. In the end EAP were all out for 189 in a gallant effort.
Chris Kent top scored for EAP with a brilliant knock of 60 from just 33 balls.
In the afternoon match against South Australia Country things finally clicked for EAP as they easily accounted for their highly fancied opponents thanks to a pulsating century from Assad Vala that included an incredible five 4s and nine 6s.
In a better performance with the ball EAP restricted South Australia to 9-154 off their 20 overs.
Vanuatu duo Andrew Mansale and Patrick Matautaava each picked up two wickets in a good team effort that included six individual wicket takers.
In reply the PNG opening combination of Tony Ura and Assad Vala destroyed the South Australian bowlers early as they raced to 0-95 off just 8.3 overs before Ura was sent to the sheds for 37.
However from that moment on Vala took the spot light bringing up his 50 in only 19 balls including taking 33 off a single over.
He didn't stop there as his next 50 came off just 31 balls to bring up arguably the greatest century by an EAP player in the events history.
He then led his side to victory in the 17th over to finish on a magnificent 101 from 51 balls.
"I'm so happy to make a big score at the right time and contribute to the great win for the boys," said Vala. "It was disappointing to get out in the 40s this morning (against Victoria) so I was determined to improve on that this afternoon."
Tomorrow is a rest day with EAP beginning a two day match against tournament favourites NSW Country on Thursday.
Short Scoreboard:
Round 3 (8 January): Victoria Country 2-228, 20 overs (A Vala 1-22,W Gavera 1-40) defeated East Asia-Pacific 189 all out, 19.2 overs (C Kent 60, A Vala 49)
Round 4 (8 January): South Australia Country 9-154, 20 overs (A Mansale 2-22, P Matautaava 2-25) defeated by East Asia-Pacific 3-155, 16.3 overs (A Vala 101*, T Ura 37)