Vanuatu takes a step closer to World Cricket League

Vanuatu won a vital play-off match against Samoa at the ICC EAP Trophy to take a step closer to the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 8.

Andrew Mansale was once again the hero for Vanuatu, smashing his second century of the tournament, although he received excellent support from Jonathan Dunn and Damian Smith.

Although Samoa never gave up in reply, Vanuatu comfortably recorded a 125-run victory which was reward for its investment in youth development in the past decade.

Paul Myers, a member of Samoa Cricket recalls, "We played Vanuatu in a tournament in 2001 and we beat them comfortably. They had a lot of old guys and expats in that team. A year later Samoa hosted the tournament here in 2002 and we saw that Vanuatu had replaced all those old guys in 2001 with younger players, some as young as 18. Again we beat them easily. Come the South Pacific Games in Fiji 2003, we met the same players this time a bit older and although we won, it was a really tough match.

"The difference this time I mentioned to Seb (Kohlhase), Samoa now had same old players and no young ones coming through. Now in 2009, I and some of our executives are looking at where Vanuatu has grown to in the regionand my hat goes out to them for putting in place all those years ago their vision which is now bearing fruit."

Samoa according to President Seb Kohlhase has achieved its aims even before the first ball was bowled in the finals.

"Our main goal was to go up the rankings and making the finals is just phenomenal. Along the way we have finally, after 10-years of trying, defeated the Cook Islands and that's historical. With new and younger players coming through, cricket has a vision to become a major sport in Samoa's sporting landscape.

"We have clear national and international pathways with lucrative contracts available to players overseas. We just have to build those 'roads' so our players have the exposure and right coaching to get them there. It's exciting times and definitely with cricket, players have a much longer lifespan than in the full contact games," said Seb Kohlhase.

Awards and Trophies

Winner Twenty/20 Trophy
Papua New Guinea

World Cricket League Winners
Papua New Guinea

Non World Cricket League Winners
Vanuatu

Twenty/20 Player of the Tournament
Chris Amini (PNG)

World Cricket League Player of Tournament
Vani Vagi Morea (PNG)

Non World Cricket League Player of Tournament
Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu)

T20 Team of the Tournament

Damian Smith (Vanuatu)
Uala Kaisala (c) (Samoa)
Josefa Baba (Fiji)
Assad Vala (PNG)
Sione Holi (Tonga)
Chris Amini © (PNG)
Faasao (Samoa)
Iniasi (Fiji)
Pipi Raho (PNG)
Thomas Teinaki (Cook Islands)
Willie Gavera (PNG)
Edy Mansale (Vanuatu)

F50 Team of the Tournament

Tino Etita (Cook Islands)
Josefa Baba (Fiji)
Andrew Mansale (c) (Vanuatu)
Ben Mailata (Samoa)
Simpson Obed (Vanuatu)
Kila Pala (PNG)
Tatsuro Chino (Japan)
Jonathon Dunn (Vanuatu)
Loa Nou (PNG)
Sakarai Lomani (Fiji)
Lautala Fuimoana (Samoa)
Vani Vagi Morea