Japan, Cooks and Tonga fight for final places

Three into two just won't go as Japan, Cook Islands and Tonga will all approach tomorrow's final round with a great sense of anticipation as only two of them can claim a spot in Thursday's final of the East Asia - Pacific (EAP) Cricket Cup tournament in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

In a day of great drama Samoa were bowled out for 19, Japan ended Vanuatu's hopes of home town glory and Tonga showed great courage and spirit to overhaul 280 at Independence Park.

In quite possibly the shortest ICC game on record, Cook Islands made a mess of a disappointing Samoa to win by 9 wickets at Club Hippique. Samoa batted first and could not complete 10 overs as they struggled to deal with the Cook Islanders pace duo of Chris Brown (4/9 off 4.5 overs) and Dunu Eliaba (3/9 off 5 overs). It took all of 21 balls for the Cooks to complete the whitewash. The teams were packed up and the game was all over before the first scheduled drinks break.

The anticipated clash of the round turned into a bit of a fizzer as the committed and well drilled Japanese team overcame the spirited Vanuatu at KaZaa Field. Masaomi Kobayashi was again the leader for Japan with a disciplined and then free flowing 52no to pilot the teams rescue from a precarious 6/60 to a match winning 8/164. Skipper Tetsuo Fuji also chipped in with a busy 25 late in the innings. Patrick Haines was again the pick of the bowlers with 3/38 off 10 overs.

The Vanuatu innings started disastrously and never recovered as they slumped to 4/22 in the 8th over on the back of two early run outs by the enthusiastic Japanese fielders. Pierre Chilia was the only batter to have any impact on the innings and he top scored with 20 off 62 balls. He eventually ran out of partners and succumbed to the spin of Munir Ahmad to be the last man out with the score on 82. Yuta Matsubara was the chief destroyer early snaring 4/22 off 7 overs. The result keeps Japan clear at the top of the table but shatters the dreams of the home team as they are now unable to qualify for the final on Thursday.

In today's nailbiter, Tonga conjured up some Pacific magic to chase down Indonesia's massive 280 in their clash at Independence Park. Indonesia got off to a flyer thanks to Subash Modgil's 63 off 47 balls scoring 2/82 off the first 15 overs. John Stevenson (62 off 72) and Chad Paull (72 off 84) continued the free scoring as Indonesia set Tonga an impressive 281 for victory. Wily veteran Viliami Tupounia continued his good tournament for Tonga with 3/30 off 10 overs.

Tonga started aggressively and were ahead of the required run rate after 15 overs with 2/93. A 75 run partnership in 10 overs between Paea Noa (75) and Simione Latu (53) set up a thrilling conclusion to a seesawing contest. When Noa was the 7th man out with the score at 219, Tonga needed 63 to win off the last 16 overs with 3 wickets in hand. The 8th wicket fell at 249 and the 9th at 261 with Tonga still 20 runs short. Number 10 batter Savelio Tamale and Number 11 Sione Tupou Pese decided attack was the best way forward and preceded to swing lustily to hit the remaining runs. With a combination of good shot selection and lady luck, the two tailenders somehow negotiated the Indonesia attack with Tamale hitting the winning run in the 45th over. It was an amazing finish to an amazing contest.

Wednesday's games now shape as tantalizing as the outcome of the Japan v Tonga game at KaZaa Field could potentially determine who plays in the final on Thursday. If Japan win, they will be guaranteed a place in the final and Tonga will miss out (assuming Cooks defeat Indonesia). If Tonga win (and Cooks defeat Indonesia) then Japan, Tonga and Cook Islands will all finish with four wins and one loss - a situation whereby net run rate will separate them.

Cook Islands will play Indonesia at Independence Park and if the game goes true to current form then the Cooks will win and then nervously follow the Japan and Tonga clash. Another combination could be if Indonesia can overcome the Cooks and Japan defeat Tonga then the fate of Cooks and Tonga will still be decided on net run rate.

The final game of the round will be at Club Hippique where Vanuatu will look to finish on a strong note and Samoa will seek to atone for their miserable day today.

The EAP Cricket Cup will conclude with finals on Thursday 29 September. Daily results can be found at www.icc-eap-cricket.com by following the EAP Cricket Cup link.