NSW on verge of tenth ACCC title, EAP reach new heights
Photo: Rob Giese
East Asia Pacific annihilated Victoria en route to its best ever result at the Commonwealth Bank Australian Country Cricket Championships.
Opener Chris Amini belted the carnival’s highest individual score, 122, as EAP posted a mammoth 399 in reply to Victoria’s 210. He had plenty of helpers in the demolition, with Asaad Vala (80), Ben Mailata (58) and Vani Vagi Morea (49 not out) all joining the fun.
Their efforts backed up a sensational day one effort from all-rounder Faasa’o Mulivai, who claimed 6/30 with his bustling medium pace.
Mulivai was very pleased with himself and said he and his EAP teammates had enjoyed the opportunity to test themselves against the country’s best players.
East Asia Pacific’s three victories at this year’s carnival is the combined nations’ best return in nine attempts.
Coach Tom Evans was rapt with his charges and hoped the team would finish off its good work in the final two one-dayers.
In other matches, NSW all but secured a tenth country title with a six-run victory against Queensland in a dramatic finish to a fantastic game of cricket.
The Brahmans looked like causing a major upset before a mid-order collapse turned the game NSW’s way. A lower order fightback almost provided another twist before two late wickets ended the chase at 235 in response to 241.
ACT secured a 21-run victory against Western Australia in a high scoring encounter at Newtown’s Stinton Oval. An even display with the ball helped the ACT dismiss WA for 281 late yesterday after a team effort with the bat allowed the Territory to post a handy 302. Mitch Green top scored for WA, making 68 at the top of the order.
South Australia and the Northern Territory fought out a thrilling draw at East Belmont’s Winter Reserve as the Outback tailenders hung on for around 40 minutes to deny the Territorians their final wicket.
Earlier, NT had decided to continue to bat on day two. Udara Weerasinghe (78*) and Ben Reichstein (62*) accelerated the scoring in the morning to move their team onto 7/311 before the declaration was made.
South Australia started solidly in their run chase, with Ben Smith (75) leading the way before a steady fall of wickets had SA staring at defeat.
The tenth wicket pairing of Rohan Bock (20 not out) and Ben Brown (17) denied NT by hanging around for 17 overs as SA finished 9/275 to split the points.
ROUND FIVE RESULTS
Western Australia v ACT 302
New South Wales 241 v Queensland 235
Victoria 210 v East Asia Pacific 399
Northern Territory 7/311DEC v South Australia 9/275
Batting
1. Christopher Amini (EAP) 122
2. Asaad Vala (EAP) 80
3. Udara Weerasinghe (NT) 78*
4. Ben Smith (SA) 75
5. Mitch Green (WA) 68
Bowling
1. B Hauenstein (Vic) 3/44
2. S Devoy (ACT) 3/45
3. D Lineen (Vic) 3/60
4. K Ashby (SA) 3/62
5. S Taylor (ACT) 3/72
