East Asia-Pacific Super Eights: Team preparations underway as Filipino participation confirmed

In terms of cricketing culture the teams playing in the opening match of the
International Cricket Council's Super Eights tournament in Perth in February/March couldn't be more stark - a side representing Australia's original inhabitants and cricket tourists against one of the ICC's newest members.

Fittingly, the draw ensures that the Australian Aborigines, the first cricketing team to represent the continent, will play its opening match against Indonesia, newly inducted members of the ICC in a tournament it sees as a gentle introduction to international cricket for the region's newcomers.

The fact most members of the Australian Aborigjnal team would be playing
competitive cricket in a traditional cricket playing country would make the
side automatic favourites for the Eight a Side tournament.

Only Japan has appeared in an international tournament before - at a couple of Asian Cricket Council Trophys - but given the expatriate backgrounds of Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea, their ascendency is not assured.

The ICC is asking all countries to enter into the developmental spirit of the event by meeting certain eligibility guidelines however as it is a stand alone event with no bearing on ICC or World League rankings, good will is being extended.

The Japanese have cut back their original squad of 60 to about 20, while officials in Jakarta and Bali are coordinating the inaugural Indonesian
squad.

Day 1 - Mon 25 Feb - Preliminary Round

Ground A                                Ground B
Australian Aborigines v Indonesia       Japan v Philippines
Australian Aborigines v Japan           Indonesia v Philippines
South Korea - day off

Day 2 - Tue 26 Feb - Preliminary Round

Ground A                                Ground B
Japan v Indonesia                       Australian Aborigines v South Korea
Indonesia v South Korea
Philippines - day off
Australian Aborigines & Japan - afternoon off

Day 3 - Wed 27 Feb - Preliminary Round

Ground A                                Ground B
Australian Aborigines v Philippines     Japan v South Korea
Philippines v South Korea
Indonesia - day off
Australian Aborigines & Japan - afternoon off

Day 4 - Thu 28 Feb - Play-offs

Ground A                                Ground B
2 v 5                                   3 v 4
2 v 4                                   3 v 5

Team One qualifies automatically for semi-finals
Points earned from Day 4 added to previous points from Preliminary Round to
establish second, third and fourth placed team joins first placed team. Team
five eliminated.

Day 5 - Fri 1 Mar - Semi-Finals & Finals day
Ground A                                Ground B
1 v 4 Semi-Final                        2 v 3 Semi-Final
Final                                   Consolation Final

Closing function/presentations after Finals