EAP coming together to mount their ACCC charge
WITH players from PNG, Indonesia, Japan and Vanuatu, the composite side is proving the benchmark in the women’s ACCC.
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CRICKET: Few sides have captured the imagination like the East-Asia Pacific women have over the course of the Australian Country Cricket Championships.
The composite side made of players from Papua New Guinea, Japan, Indonesia and Vanuatu currently sits atop the women's standings heading into the business end of the carnival, combining an entertaining style of play with results.
Team manager Komodo Elly said they have been able to put together a formidable roster, with some bright young prospects leading the charge.
"We give all the credit to the coaches and the girls as well," she said.
"They have a good combination. We have girls from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan and Vanuatu.
"The ICC (International Cricket Council) contacted countries and the coaches in respective regions picked the best performers during the season. That's how they all come together."
"We have a good bowling attack that has had support from everyone, and the batters have done a great job as well.
"When the bowlers are doing well, we expect the batters to come in and finish the game off in short overs."
Despite the cultural differences and language barriers that exist between the players from different backgrounds, Elly said the team has gelled well.
"That isn't a problem," she said.
"When we get together we make sure that everybody is on the same page.
"There's no racism when we come together even though we are all from different countries.
"We're representing the region so we ensure that the bond stays within the team and everyone feels welcome and at home.
"We make sure the atmosphere is one where nobody feels out of place."
The promising squad is captained by Brenda Tau, who has been plying her trade for the Ipswich/Logan Hornets.
So far this tournament she has excelled with the bat and in the field, averaging 38 runs from five innings, as well as three stumpings behind the stumps.
Assistant coach Maguey Dai said Tau's impact and leadership has been a strong point of the East-Asia Pacific campaign.
"She's been very consistent with her batting and scoring runs all through the carnival, with a few games to go. She's been working very hard.
"Brenda has been performing well at wicketkeeper and has shared that with her teammates.
"The main thing is she has been looking after the team (as captain), so she is doing very well at the moment."
Dai said that the side has been able to enjoy success throughout its involvement in previous editions of the ACCC,
"A few years ago we started the ladies team in this tournament and were able to win two competitions," he said.
"Now we are here to fight again for the trophy. It's not new to the team but some of the players are new.
"The girls have been going well at the moment. We had a loss (against Victoria) but I think they learnt from the loss.
"They were a bit relaxed in that game, so coach and I were a little bit harsh on them about relaxation.
"That's why when they came out against Western Australia they just rolled over them from the beginning.
"The competition is still going. They have to stay up instead of going up and down."
East-Asia Pacific currently sits atop the women's ladder with five wins from six games and has secured a spot in Friday's semi finals at Highfields Sports Park.
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