Centurion Willis stars in WA victory against EAP

The Round Five game between Western Australia (WA) and East Asia Pacific (EAP) has been an intriguing game from the start and went down to the very last overs before the points were decided.

Western Australia set an impressive target of 312 after being 48-5 at one stage. It took a valiant century from WA all-rounder Nick Willis (130 not out) to rescue the score and give the team a very competitive target.

Another warm day in Albury with temperatures in the 40s greeted both sides on day two of the clash. EAP openers Kobyashi (Japan) and Rika (Fiji) had to contend with some good new ball bowling from WA, before left-arm finger spinner John took the first wicket of Kobyashi for 12.

Another partnership was formed between Rika and number three batsmen Vani Vagi Morea (PNG) before Rika was caught behind for 23 just minutes before the lunch break to have EAP 81-2 at lunch.

EAP captain Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu) was desperate to get amongst the runs after getting starts in previous games, he went about his innings in classic Mansale style taking on the bowlers and running hard between wickets.

Morea was out bowled in the third over after lunch for a quick fire 41, which brought EAP leading run-scorer Assad Vala (PNG) to the crease. Mansale and left-hander Vala had put on 36 for the fourth wicket before a risky run saw Vala just out of his ground for 18 with the EAP score at 129-4.

A fifth-wicket partnership of 59 runs had put the EAP team in a good position when Mansale was caught at point. Another 50-run partnership between Jo Baba (Fiji) and Chris Amini had a win well insight at 247-6.

Some good tight bowling and defensive fields put the pressure on EAP, needing 27 off the last five overs. WA did not give any loose balls and EAP failed to find a boundary finishing its 100 overs at 303-9 just 10 runs shy of its target.

Assad Vala has been selected from the EAP side to play for the Australian Country team against the Australian Cricket Association Masters in a T20 game on Saturday under lights at Lavington Oval in Albury.

The ACA Masters is lead by former Queensland and Australian player Jimmy Maher as well as former Australian greats in Jason Gillispie, Greg Ritchie and Greg Matthews.