Andrew Mansale

Vanuatu cricket captain Mansale to step down after 10 years

However, having already played for 16 years, Mansale will still continue to play for the men's team.

"I cannot believe that the years have gone by so quickly but I have enjoyed every moment of it and the best part for me is seeing the boys develop into the great cricketers they are now," Mansele said.

The president of the Vanuatu cricket association, Mark Stafford, said Mansale's captaincy was marked the team's rocketing up the international rankings and the growth of the sport in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu cricket captain joins Adelaide club as player/coach

Mansale, who has skippered his national side since 2009, joined the Stingrays last month to coach and play in the club’s A grade.

The 32-year-old all-rounder is the second Vanuatu international to line up for Southern in the past year, following batsman Josh Rasu last season. Former Stingrays star turned Vanuatu coach Shane Deitz recommended both of them to Southern officials.

“I went through the Level 3 coaching course last year and I know Southern was looking for a coach, so I thought I would put my name up,” Mansale says.

EAP men’s team win after three years

The EAP men’s team, captained by Vanuatu’s National Captain, Andrew Mansale, finished the 50 Over Competition in sixth place with no wins from five matches, while they finished a very respectable second place in the T20 Competition with three wins from five matches.    

The highlights were the three victories against very strong Australian Country Sides in Victoria (by 6 wickets), Western Australian (by 5 wickets) and New South Wales (6 wickets) in rain affected championships, which were EAP’s first victories in the ACCC since 2014.