Samoa storm to joint lead in Port Vila

Two years ago, it was only net run rate that separated Papua New Guinea and Samoa in the EAP WT20 Qualifier at the top of the table. After three of five matches, both sides remain undefeated of the 2019 ICC Women’s Qualifier – East Asia-Pacific.

On a blustery, rain interrupted day in Port Vila, Samoa came through with their undefeated record in tact with back-to-back victories over Japan and Indonesia.

Their two victories brought them level with PNG who made light work of Vanuatu, dismissing them for 23. The Lewas chased the target down without losing a wicket.

All three of Samoa’s victories have been by 9-wickets and their Regina Lill‘i, who is yet to be dismissed in the tournament, sits atop the runs table. The Nafanua skipper’s 112 runs have come at just under a run a ball.

Lill‘i may have been second guessing her decision to field first, as Japan opening batter – and Player of the Match – Akari Kitayama (63 off 54 balls) got the team off to a flying start hitting eight boundaries. The tight bowling of Lily Mulivai (4 for 18 off 4 overs) helped restrict Japan’s total to be all out for 119 after the allotted 20 overs.

Samoa followed up the morning match with another stellar performance over Indonesia in the rain-affected afternoon match chasing down the target with two overs remaining with Pula (25 off 23) and Lill’i (28* off 26) again doing the damage.

Samoa captain Lill’i after the game stated that she always felt in control of the chase.

“I had the DLS totals in my pocket so I knew we were always ahead and once it got to five overs I was pretty confident that if it did pour down, we were ahead, so we just continued to do the basics and build on our partnership”

In the afternoon match, tournament hosts Vanuatu thrilled the crowd as they registered their first win of the tournament with a 63-run win over Fiji in another DLS affected game.

There is a rest day on Wednesday before the games recommence on Thursday. Samoa will come up against current joint-top side PNG in the tournament’s last match on Friday afternoon.

Summary scores

Fiji 23 (11.1) Oa 4/4 (3.1), Arua 2/8 (4) defeated by PNG 0/27 (3.1) Jimmy 14* by 10 wickets

Japan 119 (20) Kitayama 63*, Mulivai 4/18 (4) defeated by Samoa 1/120 (15.4) Lill’i 47*, Bourne 47 by 9 wickets.

Indonesia 6/55 (13) Anggraeni 26 defeated by Samoa 1/64 (11) Lill’i 28*, Pula (25) by 9 wickets (D/L method).

Vanuatu 3/121 (13) Langiatu 50 defeated Fiji 8/75 (13) Lomani 27 by 63 runs (D/L method).

Points Table

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Points	NRR
PNG	3	3	0	6	3.359
Samoa	3	3	0	6	2.388
Vanuatu	2	1	1	2	0.182
Indonesia	3	1	2	2	-0.478
Japan	2	0	2	0	-1.227
Fiji	1	0	0	0	-6.202

Upcoming matches

9 May morning: Vanuatu v Samoa (Vanuatu Cricket Ground 1); Fiji v Japan (Vanuatu Cricket Ground 2)

9 May afternoon: PNG v Japan (Vanuatu Cricket Ground 1); Indonesia v Vanuatu (Vanuatu Cricket Ground 2)

10 May morning: Indonesia v Fiji (Vanuatu Cricket Ground 1); Japan v Vanuatu(Vanuatu Cricket Ground 2)

10 May afternoon: Samoa v PNG (Vanuatu Cricket Ground 1)

Morning matches start at 9.30am local time, and afternoon matches start at 1:30pm local time.