ICC EAP Announce Squad for ACCC

The ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP) office has announced their final squad for January's Australian Country Cricket Championships to be held in Geelong.

The leading 14 players from the EAP region will take on teams made up of the best Australian country cricketers from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and the ACT in a series of T20, 50 over and two day matches.

The Australian Country Cricket Championships is the pinnacle of country cricket in Australia. Held annually it brings together Australia's leading country cricketers to display their skills over two weeks of highly competitive, spirited competition.

The ICC EAP first participated in this event in 2004 and with this squad arguably the strongest the region has ever produced, their coach Tom Evan's is optimistic this side is capable of improving on their best ever finish of 4th place at the event.

"The squad will be working hard together to represent the region well and showcase EAP's talent," he said. "Hopefully we can play consistent cricket and achieve EAPs best ever result at the ACCC."

With a current world ranking of 19, PNG players dominate the side with nine inclusions; Vanuatu and Samoa each have two players in the squad and Fiji one.

Four players will make their debut for the ICC EAP side this year with PNG's wicket keeper Jack Vare and fellow countryman Joel Tom, joining the Samoan pair of Ben Mailata and Faasao Mulivai as big inclusions for 2012.

"This year's squad is definitely a very strong squad as shown by the number of quality players across the region who were unlucky to miss selection," said Evans. "I believe we have a good balance of younger players who are representing EAP for the first time and also some more experienced guys who know what the country champs are all about."

The majority of the squad is currently based in Melbourne on cricket scholarships with Australia clubs over summer. Evan's believes this will be of great advantage for his side in being prepared when they begin their campaign on New Year's Day against the Northern Territory.

"Having so many players here over summer gives them experience playing on turf in Victorian conditions," he said. "It also allows us the opportunity to work as a group for an extended period rather than our usual, very short, two day preparation."

An announcement on the captain is expected in a few weeks.

The Final Squad is:

Andrew Mansale Vanuatu
Assad Vala PNG
Ben Mailata Samoa
Chris Amini PNG
Chris Kent PNG
Faasao Mulivai Samoa
Jack Vare PNG
Jason Kila PNG
Joel Tom PNG
Mahuru Dai PNG
Patrick Matautaava Vanuatu
Sakaria Lomani Fiji
Tony Ura PNG
Willie Gavera PNG

Coach
Tom Evans

Assistant Coach
Rarua Dikana