EAP Emerging camp starts on Sunshine Coast

Seventeen of East Asia-Pacific's brightest young cricketing talent arrived into Brisbane last weekend and have experienced mixed fortunes in its tour matches to date.

The majority of the players that are selected are from PNG's U/19 World Cup squad that will compete in New Zealand next year as well as four Fiji, two Vanuatu and one Indonesian player.

The squad played against a powerful Scorchers team and fielded first after captain John Reva (PNG) lost the toss.

Opening bowlers Raymond Hoada (PNG) and Patrick Matautaava (Vanuatu) bowled well without much luck. Matautaava took the star wicket of John Davidson, who once held the record for the fastest century in ICC Cricket World Cup history. However, the Scorchers never really seemed too loose momentum as it made an impressive 4/160 off their 20 overs.

The EAP Emerging X1 were in trouble early when it lost Openers Siaka (PNG) and Ura (PNG) and none of the EAP batters got going apart from a cameo innings from Vanuatu all rounder Matautaava hit 18 off just five balls. EAP ran out of overs and finished at 9/115, a loss by 52 runs.

Monday was for many a first chance to see Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence facilities and the day started with a tour around the facilities and gave the squad a chance to familiarise themselves with the recovery pool, nets, centre wicket, change rooms and lecture/computer rooms.

After the tour it was straight into a batting session with former South Australian opener David Fitzgerald and then the fitness test with Aaron Kellet (Cricket Australia Strength and Conditioning).

Tuesday was again another opportunity to develop their game with a match against the Australian Sports Gateway X1 (ASG) who had a number of overseas players and grade cricketers from Australia.

Due to some morning rain the game was reduced to 40 overs and ASG got off to a quick start, although it was eventually all out for just 156.

In reply, EAP started losing wickets and at one stage were 32-3 before Charles Amini and Heni Siaka (PNG) then took some control of the game taking EAP into drinks at 90-3 off 20 overs.

The PNG pair then continued to dominate the spinners and put on a 106-run partnership before Siaka was caught trying to pull the ball and caught at gully. Despite losing quick wickets at the end, Vagi Oala hit the winning runs with seven overs to spare.

The EAP squad will take on the full PNG u/19s World Cup Squad on Friday before the camp concludes.