EAP Senior and Emerging Squads Announced

The ICC East-Asia Pacific office today announced both their Senior and Emerging Player Squads for 2011/12.

Squads have been chosen from the 10 members countries in the East-Asia Pacific Region and EAP Regional Development Officer Tom Evans says the performances of individuals at regional events this year has been a major factor in selection.

"Having two senior tournaments this year has made the selection of the two squads a little easier," said Evans. "Players have been rewarded for good performances in the PNG and Samoa tournaments."

Both squads will be reduced to 12-14 players in late August who will be provided the opportunity to attend squad camps at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in November this year.

"Using the Centre of Excellence facility is a fantastic opportunity for the players in our region," said Evans. "To be able to give our players and coaches access to world class facilities, as well the opportunity to work with some of Australia's best coaches definitely assists with our goal to improve the level of performance in EAP."

Whilst there are a number of familiar names in the senior squad, the emerging squad represents the future of the region and Evans is looking forward to working with these players.

"The emerging squad is a really good squad that involves some young players who have represented their national teams both in the U19s and at senior level as well as a few more experienced players from the affiliate countries."

Following the camps a final East-Asia Pacific squad of 14 players will be selected to participate at the 2012 Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) in Geelong.

With the quality of players Evans hopes to have at his disposal he is keen to improve on the sides 6th place finish at the 2011 event in Bunbury.

"I am very excited about the ACCC this year," he said. "It is still a long time until Jan 2012 however it looks as though we might have the strongest squad available for a couple of years."

Three coaches from ICC East-Asia Pacific member countries will also be given scholarship opportunities as part of these programs with one coach selected to attend each of the Centre of Excellence Camps and a third to join Evan's coaching the EAP side at the ACCC.

EAP Senior Squad:

Fiji - Maciu Guana, Imran Khan, Sakaria Lomani, Sekove Ravoka, Josefa Rika, Kitione Tavo.

PNG - Chris Amini, Hitolo Areni, Sese Bau, Mahuru Dai, Willie Gavera, Chris Kent, Jason Kila, Joel Tom, Tony Ura, Assad Vala, Jack Vare.

Japan - Tatsuro Chino, Takuro Hagihara, Ko Irie, Amigo Kobayashi.

Samoa - Sean Cotter, Ben Mailata, Faasao Mulivai.

Vanuatu - Laz Carlot, Jono Dunn, Trevor Langa, Andrew Mansale, Patrick Matautaava, Simpson Obed.

EAP Emerging Squad:

Cook Islands - Glenn Millar, Toala Teinaki.

Fiji - Noa Acawei, Tukana Tavo, Viliame Yabaki.

Indonesia - Desandri, I Gede Suda Arsa, Muhadis

Japan - Raheel Kano, Naotsune Miyaji, Kazuyuki Ogawa, Tomoki Ota, Makoto Taniyama, Fumihiko Uegaki.

Samoa - Tiafala Alatasi, Pritchard Pritchard.

South Korea - Lee Hwayeon

Tonga - Simione Latu

Vanuatu - Callum Blake, Jelany Chilia, Kendy Kenneth, Nalin Nipiko, Jaxis Samuel.