Improved Vanuatu Fly Under Radar

Vanuatu will enter tomorrow's Under 19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier as probably the least talked about team at the tournament, which is no surprise after their winless campaign at the equivalent event two years ago.

However the young side has improved enormously since that time and comfortably accounted for everyone except PNG at the Under 19 East-Asia Pacific Qualifier in February.

Speaking at the Senior Men's East-Asia Pacific Tournament in PNG earlier this month, Vanuatu coach Mark Coles says his players are excited by the challenge.

"We've got four of our under 19 players in the senior squad who are all performing really well and another one who only just missed out," said Coles. "They are all really looking forward to the occasion."

The performance of the four players who made the senior squad, Patrick Matautaava, Jelany Chilia, Kendy Kenneth and Nalin Nipiko did not go unnoticed at the recent senior EAP event with Matautaava and Chilia both finishing in the top handful of wicket takers and Matautaava also selected in the team of the tournament.

"Patrick (Matautaava) performed really well at the East-Asia Pacific Division 1 (senior) especially in the high pressure games against the hosts PNG," said Vanuatu senior captain Andrew Mansale.

As captain of the Under 19 side Matautaava will be looking for similar performances in Ireland if his side are to cause a few upsets and qualify for the World Cup.

PNG assistant coach John Ovia believes that their pacific neighbour should not be taken lightly.

"They looked good in February and I think if they go in with the right attitude they will perform a lot better than last time," he said.

Vanuatu will play their first match against Kenya at the Merrion Cricket Club tomorrow.