Pacifica Cup, Round Up, February 2001

March 6, 2001

The first New Zealand Maori selected by New Zealand Cricket has made an auspicious start, winning the final of the Pacifica Cricket Championships 2001 against Fiji. However, the inaugural ICC tournament for the East Asia Pacific region will be remembered as much for the spirit and style in which the cricket was played as for the final result.

As part of the ICC Development Programme the Pacifica Cricket Championships are seen as a key step in furthering cricket relationships and structures throughout the region. The tournament has certainly been a success in this area, with the teams involved forming close bonds and sharing their cricket knowledge. While there are obvious differences in the abilities exhibited by the Pacific nations, their enthusiasm for the game is also clear to see.

Championship Final New Zealand Maori vs Fiji

The Pacifica final looked to be a close match up, with both teams unbeaten in the tournament. The Maori had the greater cricketing background and traditional skills, however the innovation and sheer athleticism of the Fijians countered this.

Overnight rain caused a 45-minute delay to the start of play, and the Maori captain Leigh Kelly put the Fijians into bat on winning the toss.

Opening batsmen Bulabelavu and Rika withstood the early Maori attack, reaching 27 before Rika was removed by David Little. This wicket coincided with the introduction of Gene Waller into the bowling attack, and the Fijian middle order crumbled against his accurate medium pacers. Waller secured three wickets and Robbie Bird removed the dangerous Neil Maxwell first ball to have Fiji precariously placed at 52-5.

Off spinner Tane Topia removed the well performed Taione Batina at 60, and the Fijians looked in danger of being dismissed for under 100. Tavo Sorovakatini took charge from this point with another of the impressive innings he has displayed at the tournament, adding 57 for the seventh wicket with Taniela Naulivou.

Following Sorovakatini's dismissal Nauvilou marshalled the lower order well, and Fiji were dismissed for 164 in the last of their 50 overs. Waller was the best of the Maori bowlers with three for 27, while Bird finished with two for 21 and Ash Turner two for 22. The Maori batting line up has been strong throughout the Pacifica tournament, and the Fijian total looked to be within their ability to chase.

The Fijians had different plans however, running out dangerous opening batsman Thomas Nukunuku for 10, then trapping Bird lbw first ball. Things could have been even more dire for the Maori had Maxwell held a chance from Jessie Ryder at first slip with the total at 20, but the ball went to ground after several juggled attempts to make the dismissal. Ryder and Peter McGlashan slowly wore down the Fijian bowlers and fielders with sensible cricket, taking the score through to 70 before Ryder was dismissed.

McGlashan continued to play the anchor role, but the Fijians made inroads at the other end, taking wickets at 89 and 93. Tane Topia joined McGlashan and took the attack to the Fijians, but gave away his wicket at a vital time, holing out to long on two balls before the drinks break. Neil Maxwell bowled Phil Otto at 131, and the pressure was back on the Maori side. McGlashan was joined by David Little, and together they inched the Maori total closer to victory. Their unbeaten partnership of 34 saw the Maori through to the victory target in the forty second over, McGlashan undefeated on a match winning 49 not out.

Third Place Playoff Tonga vs Papua

New Guinea Tonga won the toss and elected to bat against Papua New Guinea, and were in early trouble with both openers back in the pavilion by the time the score had reached 22. The dismissal of Faivakimoano was a big blow for the Tongans, as he has been the backbone to their batting this week. Sione Holi took the opportunity to assume responsibility for building the Tongan total, and his unbeaten 62 helped post the defendable target of 150. For Papua New Guinea Ross Vagi was outstanding, securing four for 33 through the middle stages in combination with John Ovia who finished with three for 31. Papua New Guinea lost Uda early, but looked to be comfortably placed in reaching 50 for the loss of only that wicket.

Wickets fell regularly from this stage, with the seventh falling at 105 and Tonga looking at a real chance of upsetting the Papuan New Guineans. Daniel Faunt and Ross Vagi added 39 for the eighth wicket to take the score within seven of victory. The drama wasn't over though. With the scores tied, a direct hit from the Tongan fielders looked to have Tuku Raka short of his ground. The run was made however, and Papua New Guinea had a two-wicket win.

Fifth Place Playoff Cook Islands vs Samoa

The Cook Islands has threatened much during the tournament, and Samoa were unfortunate to get in their way in this match. Batting first, the Cooks again struggled to put together significant partnerships, and were dismissed in the 41st over for 137. Kauvai (27) and Etita (26) were again the Cook Islands best batsmen. The batting effort was little indicator of what was to come, as the Samoan innings was reduced to seven for five wickets, and 19 for seven. A mini recovery saw Samoa through to 45, but the Cooks opening bowlers Joseph Joe Junior and Dunu Eliaba were far too good in picking up four wickets each.

Seventh Place Playoff Vanuatu vs New Caledonia

New Caledonia have learned much in their first week of international competition, but it wasn't enough to turn the tables of Vanuatu from their meeting in pool play. Vanuatu dismissed the New Caledonians for 97, and knocked off the winning runs in under 12 overs. Russell Tatwin continued his good form for Vanuatu in scoring 67 not out from only 40 balls in the victory chase, to go with his three wickets with the ball.

Final Placings 1. NZ Maori 2. Fiji 3. Papua New Guinea 4. Tonga 5. Cook Islands 6. Samoa 7. Vanuatu 8. New Caledonia

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