Indonesia too strong for Japan in round-1 clash
Indonesia too strong for Japan in round-1 clash
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia scored an impressive 54-run victory over Japan on
Tuesday on day one of the 11-a-side International Cricket Council
tournament in Japan.
This day-one clash of the ICC EAP Cricket Challenge was played
at the scenic Fujigawa grounds at the base of Mt. Fuji. The match
was billed as a clash between the ICC's strongest East Asia
teams, and proved to be a tightly fought contest.
Indonesia won the toss and batted first amid intense media and
spectator interest in Japan's first match of the tournament. A
solid opening partnership of 56 between Ray Elliott (28) and Yeri
Rosongna (13) subdued Japan's enthusiasm somewhat, however three
quick wickets saw Indonesia at three for 70 after 22 overs.
Indonesian wicketkeeper, and man of the match, Dan Metcalf
scored a powerful 54 off 58 balls, including nine boundaries, and
anchored the Indonesian bottom order. The squad ended with a
score of 219 from 50 overs, with a loss of seven wickets.
Japan started poorly in reply, with Indonesia opener Bernadus
Elly (3 for 26) taking the first three wickets. Wickets continued
to fall at regular intervals throughout the innings, and only
number six batsman Jummei Hanada provided any resistance with a
hard-fought 44 from 43 balls.
Japan was eventually dismissed for 165 in 40 overs.
"This is a great confidence booster for our boys, considering
Japan is a strong team and this is their home turf. We batted,
bowled and fielded consistently today, however we still have a
lot of work to do if we are to achieve our goals in this
tournament," Indonesian coach M.K. Suresh said after the game
Indonesia will now take on a strong Fiji team on Wednesday in
what promises to be the match of the round, while Japan will be
looking for its first win over Tonga.
In another match on Tuesday, Fiji began the tournament in fine
style by posting a convincing 121 run victory over Tonga.
The winner of this four-team event between Fiji, Tonga, Japan
and Indonesia will begin the journey to qualify for the ICC World
Cup in 2007 by receiving an invitation to participate in the ICC
World Cup Qualifying Series tournament in Malaysia in February
2005.
After winning the toss, Fiji elected to bat and posted an
impressive total of 249. The innings was controlled by a middle
order partnership of 83 runs between Neil Maxwell (71 from 86
balls) and Fiji captain Waisake Tukana (74 from 74 balls).