EAP CoE Camp Underway in Brisbane
The ICC East Asia-Pacific Centre of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp got underway this week in Brisbane with a host of the region's best players in attendance.
Participants in the first week are regarded as the elite players from the East Asia-Pacific Region with the second week attended by up-and-coming talent from EAP member countries.
The week is broken into a series of training and education sessions as well as fitness testing managed by CoE coaches and ICC EAP Regional Development Officer Tom Evans. The group has already played two matches for a win and a loss against local clubs and will play a 50 over match at the end of the week to conclude proceedings.
In the two matches to date the EAP side has come away with one win and one loss and coach Evan's has been impressed with what he has seen from his players so far especially given the delayed arrival and limited preparation for some given the issues with Qantas flights being grounded.
"The boys have been working really hard together throughout the first part of the camp," said Evans. "It's a great opportunity to get everyone together and work with such quality coaches."
In the first match on Sunday the EAP side played a T20 match against a Sunshine Coast Scorchers XI at the Maroochydore CC. EAP were bowled out for 101 in the 19th over despite good knocks from Samoa's Ben Mailata (45) and Fiji's Sekove Ravoka (20). In reply the Scorchers got the runs with eight balls to spare and five wickets in hand. Vanuatu's Andrew Mansale was the pick of the bowlers with 2-19.
With more time to acclimatise and having the opportunity on Monday to complete sessions under the guidance of CoE coaches John Davison and Jade Roberts, the EAP side bounced back strongly in their 50 over match against Australian Gateway Sports (AGS) on Tuesday.
Three wickets to Japan's Hagihara and some tight fielding that included four run outs restricted AGS to all out for 166. In reply EAP cruised to victory with seven wickets in hand. The stars with the bat were Samoa's Sean Cotter with a magnificent 74 not out and Vanuatu's Simpson Obed who made a fine 62.
"On Sunday the squad didn't play their best cricket given many just arrived that morning," said Evans. "However, they bounced back very well yesterday to have a convincing win which was pleasing."
The best players from this week will join players from PNG to form an EAP Representative side that will take part in the 2012 Australian Country Cricket Championships in Geelong.