EAP fight back in low-scoring clash

The final game of the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) between East Asia Pacific (EAP) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) turned out to be a low-scoring affair with the ball taking the honours on day one, as 16 wickets fell for only 239 runs at Urana Oval in Albury.

EAP batted first and was in early trouble losing the first three wickets for 24 runs before captain Andrew Mansale and Assad Vala steadied the ship adding 67 for the fourth wicket.

Mansale played a rash shot to be caught at first slip for 30 as Vala continued his rich vein of form to smash an impressive 95 off 87 balls before a great catch at cover to dismiss the classy left-hander.

Vala has broken the aggregate runs record for an EAP player in this Championship, as his score of 95 in this innings took him to 355 runs at an average of 50.7. The previous best of 326 from Jamie Brazier (PNG) was back in 2004.

Vala's dismissal with the score on 155-5 saw the remaining five wickets fall for an ordinary 15 runs to have EAP all out for 170.

In reply, EAP opening bowlers Willie Gavera and Loa Nou went about their business displaying some excellent pace bowling to take early wickets. Nou bowled 15 overs straight and has achieved figures of 3-37, well-supported by his fellow countryman Gavera who bowled with pace and collected 2-25.

Pipi Raho (PNG) bowled a tidy three overs giving away only two runs. Left-arm seamer Sakaria Lomani (Fiji) took 1-3 off four overs.

ACT requires a further 102 runs with only four wickets in hand and the game will be well-contested by both sides on the second day.

Scores:

EAP 170 all out (Vala 95, Mansale 30, Amini 17)

ACT 69-6 (Nou 3-37, Gavera 2-25, Sakaria Lomani 1-3)