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)