Japan and PNG to meet in final
Japan and PNG won their respective semifinals this afternoon at the 2012 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Women?s Championship to set up a rematch of the 2010 final.
Japan defeated a spirited Vanuatu at Kazaa Field, whilst PNG overcame a few scares to account for Samoa.
At Club Hippique Fiji chased down a strong Cook Islands total to win the 5th place classification match.
With nothing to lose at Kazaa Field the hosts Vanuatu got off to a flyer against Japan to race to 1-42 off seven overs. Alvina Chilia was again dominant with the bat smashing 24 off 23 balls. The removal of Chilia off the bowling of Atsuko Kitamura triggered a mini collapse for the hosts who slumped to 6-58. However the Vanuatu tail wagged to push their way to all out for 84.
For Japan Atsuko Kitamura was brilliant with the ball to finish with 3-15 off her four overs.
In the chase Mariko Yamamoto clearly had somewhere to be after the match she wasted no time taking apart the Vanuatu opening bowlers. She blasted 40 not out off 39 balls to make light work of the competitive Vanuatu total.
"Tomorrow (in the final) we will be looking to continue what we have done well all week by building pressure in the field and bowling consistently to our plan," said Japan coach Chris Ferguson.
Japan will be looking to claim back-to-back East Asia-Pacific women?s titles tomorrow afternoon against PNG.
At Independence Park PNG appeared a team on a mission right from opening ball in their match against Samoa. Fired up from Tuesday's defeat to Japan, the PNG opening pair of Tanya Ruma and Ravini Oa wreaked havoc with the ball to leave Samoa lingering at 5-31 off 10 overs.
A couple of late strikes from Fale Niufafo put a little bit of respectability back into the Samoan total, but in the end they finished all out for a disappointing 43. Pauke Siaka put on a clinic in the latter overs to clean up the Samoan tail and finish with the remarkable figures of 4-2.
Appearing down and out after the first innings Samoa threw everything they had at PNG with the ball and in the field. Early wickets to Regina Lili'i and Sinei Mulivai provided some anxious moments in the PNG camp as they slumped to 3-17.
From here though Varoi Morea and 19-year-old Tanya Ruma demonstrated experience well beyond their years to calmly see out the Samoan strike bowlers, guiding their side to victory and a place in the final.
"Today was a really good performance from the bowlers so we are very proud of them," said Morea after the match. "We had some shaky moments with the bat but Tanya and myself managed to settle it down and we are confident going in against Japan tomorrow."
The Cook Islands made a nervous start to their 5th/6th classification match against Fiji at Club Hippique in what was the last match of the tournament for both teams. The Fijian pace attack ripped through the Cooks top order, leaving them reeling at 6-18.
However Maine Daniel and Makiroa Mato combined for a vital 36-run partnership and then some handy cameos from the lower order helped lift the score to a competitive 9-86. Lanieta Benuci was the pick of the bowlers with 3-16 from her four overs.
In the field the Cooks were lifted with the dismissal of Fijian captain and best player Alicia Dean for only 16, but the pair of Benuci and Semaema Raramasi steadied the ship and guided their side to a seven wicket victory and a fifth place finish in the championships.
Cricket Australia international panel umpire John Ward, at the tournament as part of an ICC EAP umpire mentoring initiative, watched the game with interest and was particularly impressed with the approach both sides have taken to their cricket during the week.
"It's been so heartening to see cricket played with such enjoyment and enthusiasm. All the players have always got a smile on their face and the cultural aspect each team brings with its wicket celebrations and team support has ensured games have been played in fantastic spirit," said Ward.
Brief scores:
Semifinal 1
At Kazaa Field: Vanuatu 10-84, 18.0 overs (Chilia 24, Simelun 15; Kitamura 3-15, Yamamoto 2-22); defeated by Japan 3-87, 13.1 overs (Yamamoto 40 not out; Mansale 2-12)
Japan won by 7 wickets
Semifinal 2
At Independence Park: Samoa 10-43, 15.4 overs (Lili?i 7; Siaka 4-2, Oa 3-2); defeated by PNG 3-46, 13.0 overs (Morea 19 not out, Ruma 12 not out; Lili?i 1-7)
PNG won by 7 wickets
5th Place Classification Match
At Club Hippique: Cook Islands 9-86, 20.0 overs (Daniel 21, Kaukura 17 not out; Benuci 3-16, Kaukiono 2-17, Tawatatau 2-17); defeated by Fiji 3-88, 15.1 overs (Raramasi 27 not out, Dean 16; Kaukura 1-14)
Fiji won by 7 wickets