National cricketers seeks top spot in Vanuatu

National cricketers seeks top spot in Vanuatu

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After victories over Japan and Tonga last year, the national
cricket squad is targeting a top three finish at the
International Cricket Council East Asia Pacific Cup in Vanuatu
later this month.

The 14-strong team is scheduled to play five other national
teams -- Cook Islands, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the host -- at the
event in Port Vila from Sept. 23-Sept. 29.

"Personally, I am very optimistic that we will do better than
we did before in Japan. I'm confident of finishing in the big
three and with a little bit more effort, we can win!" said
captain John A. Stevenson last week.

The team is composed of six local players and eight
expatriates from Australia and India, most of them longtime
residents of the country.

Stevenson said the team's run haul would be crucial in
advancing in the standings.

"If we can score 250 runs, we will be happy," he said.

Stevenson acknowledged that the Japanese, with a longer
tradition of cricket, were Indonesia's biggest rivals. Although
cricket has been played in this country by expatriates since the
early 20th century, it is only in the past 15 years that efforts
have been made to popularize the game among Indonesians.

He said the teams were evenly matched, and "no team is much
better than another".

Training has been stepped up since April, with sessions
alternated between Bali and Jakarta, as members of the team lived
in both places.

Western Australia has seconded a coach to help develop the
sport here, including in preparation for Vanuatu.

As well as practice, the squad is focused on team building,
gym workouts and playing paintball in preparing for the
tournament.

The team will head to Brisbane, Australia, on Sept. 18 for a
last practice run before departing for Vanuatu on Sept. 20.

Stevenson said the team was already ahead of the competition
in their commitment to doing well.

"These players have given up so much time and show their
commitment to practice every weekends and three days during the
week for five hours a day. Whether we will win or lose, we will
give 100 percent on our effort." (004)