Indonesia and PNG coast to comfortable wins

Indonesia have stormed into contention for a top two finish with a convincing win over Fiji in Round 2 of the 2010 Pepsi ICC EAP U17 Cricket Trophy in Port Vila, Vanuatu today.

Sent in by Fiji on an overcast morning, Indonesia batted with patience and flair to reach 6/193 from their 35 overs, following an outstanding innings from young opener Tadarus.

The young man combined a solid defense with inventive stroke play, carrying his bat for the whole innings to finish unbeaten on 82.

The total was always going to be a huge task to overhaul for the Fiji team, and this proved to be the case with consistent wickets falling through the innings.

With the Indonesian enthusiasm lighting up Kazaa Field, and the team wicket celebrations a highlight, Fiji had no answer and were dismissed for a disappointing 86.

Maulana was the pick of the bowlers for Indonesia finishing with 5/14 from 6 tidy overs, well supported by Gede (3/20).

In the other match of the day, PNG again proved their dominance in EAP junior competitions, thrashing Vanuatu in a one-sided affair at Independence Park.

With opening bowler Vanua clean bowling Vanuatu batsman Ronald Tari with the very first ball of the game, PNG dominated from start to finish, dismissing the young Vanuatu team for just 41.

Kabua (1/6) and Vanua (3/6) bowled brilliantly with the new ball, swinging the ball substantially at good pace to have most of the Vanuatu batsmen in trouble. Agalu again impressed at first change, taking 4/4 from 2.4 accurate overs.

Vanuatu skipper Callum Blake was the only player to spend time at the crease, standing up to the PNG pace barrage for close to an hour, before eventually falling for a patient 10.

PNG made short work of the run chase, reaching the required total in just 5 overs.

Brief scores:

At Independence Park: Vanuatu 41 all-out, 12.4 overs (Agalu 4/4, Vanua 3/6) PNG 1/43, 5 overs.
PNG won by 9 wickets.

At Kazaa Field: Indonesia 6/193, 35 overs (Tadarus 82*) Fiji 86 all-out, 27.2 overs (Maulana 5/14, Gede 3/20)
Indonesia won by 107 runs.