EAP Player in Focus - Assad Vala

Assad Vala or "Dollah" to his team mates is becoming one of the leading players in the EAP team after a few years of being a fringe player. Vala is a hard hitting left hand batsman from Papua New Guinea and has represented the EAP team in 19 games and scored over 490 runs including a highest score of 62 against Victoria in 2009.

Vala is one of 20 PNG players that has represented the East Asia - Pacific team since EAP inception into the ACCC in Mt Gambier 2004. Only seven PNG players will represent the EAP team in 2010 due to retirements to star players Ipi Morea and John Ovia as well as some of the young players involvement in next months ICC U/19 World Cup in New Zealand. Due to these retirments, Vala all of a sudden becomes a senior player at only 22 and will have to perform well to ensure the EAP team is competitive in Albury.

Coach Charlie Burke commented:"Dollah is a naturally gifted player with strong hand eye coordination. He has improved his game over the last few years and has settled down on his extensive stroke play by been a little more patient at the crease and building an innings"

"He was impressive last ACCC but got too many starts that he didn't go on with, he has tightened his technique and is a lot more confident on his back foot. He is great to have in the side as he will fit all formats and will probably open the batting in the T20 format"

Assad is currently on player placement in Brisbane and is performing for his club side. Cricket PNG rate him as one of the best players and have worked hard on him playing in Australia the last two summers.

For live scoring go to the Cricket Australia website http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=accc2010 as well as for video blogs and in-depth stories of the EAP team make sure you check back on www.icceap.com

The ACCC starts with a T20 competition on January 3rd 2010 in Albury, New South Wales.