Vanuatu ANZ T20 Super Series Begins

The ANZ T20 Super Series got under way last Saturday, with the Westpac Stormers and the NBV Scorchers recording comfortable wins over the Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 Team at Independence Park.

The Westpac Stormers won the toss and elected to bat in the first match of the ANZ T20 Super Series against the Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 Team.

Vanuatu national players Trevor Langa (23) and Samson Kaworai (60) opened the batting and go off to a flying start. Langa's dismissal in the fifth over bought Vanuatu legend, Richard Tatwin to the crease. Tatwin and Kalworai rotated the strike and hit boundaries on a regular basis to frustrate the young attack.

When Kalworai was eventually dismissed, the pair had put on 100 runs for the second wicket. The middle order finished off the hard work set by the top order and posted a very impressive 4/182 off their allotted 20 overs.

Clement Tommy was the only multiple wicket taker for the Digicel Under 19 Team.

In reply, the Digicel Under 19 Team got off to a bad start losing their opener William Yamak (0) in the 3rd over. Ronald Tari (59) then joined Meto Chilia (36) to try and resurrect the innings. Tari and Chilia punished the Stormers attack to put on a 50 run partnership for the second wicket, before Chilia was dismissed.

Tari tried to continue the onslaught despite losing partners regular intervals. Trevor Langa, bowling his handy off spin finally got his man, only before Tari made a superb 59 runs.

Langa claimed another two wickets in consecutive balls to grab his maiden hat-trick. The Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 Team were eventually dismissed for a respectable 121 in the 20th over. Langa finished with superb figures of 5/28 while Jaxies Samuel claimed 2/21.

"I am very happy with our performance today," said a delighted Wetpac Stormers Captain, Trevor Langa. "Samson and Richard batted superbly in the morning and set the standard for our performance today. The under 19's should be very proud of their performance today, especially Ronald and Meto who batted very well."

In the second match, the Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 Team won the toss and elected to bat against the NBV Scorchers. They got off to a flying start against a very strong NBV Scorchers side thanks to Nalin Nipiko (11). When Nipiko was eventually dismissed in the 3rd over, it started the end for the Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 side. The young team lost regular wickets and were eventually dismissed for a very disappointing 77 in the 16th over.

Angus Blake (17) and Apolinaire Stephen (14) held up their end during the middle overs but were outdone by some clever Scorchers bowling. Aby John (4/13) and Michael Avok (2/18) were the major destroyers for the NBV Scorchers.

With bonus points up for grabs, the NBV Scorchers opened up with Laz Carlot and Damien Smith, aiming to chase down the target in quick time. Carlot was in one of thoses moods, scoring at an unbelievable rate. All bowlers were in the firing line, with Carlot belting and unbeaten 53 runs off only 18 balls, which included 12 boundaries. Smith was unbeaten on 13 off 17 balls, with the Scorchers chasing down the total with 80 balls remaining.

"It was a great day of cricket," said Vanuatu Cricket's High Performance Development Manager, Peter Wooden. "There were some outstanding individual performances today with bat and ball. Laz's power hitting was amazing in the second match while Trevor's hat-trick was brilliant. Although the Under 19 came out of the day with no wins, they should be very proud of their performances, especially Ronald and Meto in the first match."

The ANZ T20 Super Series continues next Saturday 3rd November with the Westpac Stormers taking on the Digicel Under 19 Team in the 1st match at 9am, while the Westpac Stormers take on the NBV Scorchers in the afternoon match staring at 1pm. All matches will be played at Kazza Field, Korman.

Match Summary

Game 1:
Westpac Stormers 4/182 (20) S Kalworai 60, R Tatwin 38, J Samuel 20*, C Tommy 2/16 (2) defeated Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 10/121 (19.2) R Tari 59, M Chlia 36, T Langa 5/28 (4), S Jaxies 2/21 (4) by 61 runs.

Game 2:
Digicel Vanuatu Under 19 10/77 (15.5) A John 4/13 (3), M Avok 2/18 (4) defeated by NBV Scorchers 0/79 (6.4) L Carlot 53* (18 balls) by 10 wickets with 80 balls remaining