Vanuatu Cricket

Ni-Vanuatu cricketer Jonathon Dunn optimistic about developing the sport in Pacific

The 27-year-old vice-captain of Vanuatu’s cricket team, Jonathon Dunn, lives in Newcastle, New South Wales, for much of the year.

He and the Ni-Vanuatu cricket team have just returned from an ICC tournament in the northern hemisphere.

“Vanuatu for me and my family is certainly home,” Mr Dunn said.

“[I was] born there, spoke the Vanuatu language before English.

“[I started off cricket] in Vanuatu like anyone does I suppose: in the backyard and then through Kanga cricket-equivalent programs with the plastic bat and ball.”

VCA Runs School Holiday Programme

The programme involved cricket basic skills and technique displayed through fun activities during which the girls were involved in. A few boys were eager to join in the fun activities.

The participants from the three communities and WSB also had the opportunity to go through a 15 minute health awareness talk and being a good sportsman requires a healthy and safe environment.

Through the regional Pacific Sports Partnership programme supported by the Australian Government, VCA is able to extend its cricket programme to these communities.

     

Vanuatu cricketers confident of playoff spot

RNZI reports the Melanesians thrashed Nigeria by 110 runs in midweek to snap a three-game losing streak.

Vanuatu were a late replacement for Suriname in the Division Five event and need a top three finish to avoid being relegated back to regional competitions.

Mistakes prove costly for Vanuatu cricketers

RNZI reports the Melanesians were restricted to 204 for 7 batting first against Oman, with Nalin Nipiko scoring almost half their total as he finished on 93 not out from 108 balls, including nine fours and three sixes.

In reply, Zeeshan Maqsood led the way with 130 not out as the top-ranked Omanians cruised to their target with nine wickets and 56 balls to spare with

Sudden promotion for Vanuatu on the World Cricket League ladder

This after being promoted when the small South American country of Suriname withdrew over allegations it fielded ineligible players in the Division 6 competition last year.

Vanuatu lost to Suriname in the semi-finals and finished third in that competition.

Vanuatu cricketers aiming to be well-prepared

The Melanesian side came up short at the same stage two years ago, finishing third behind hosts Jersey and Nigeria.

They will face the Cayman Islands, Norway and Saudi Arabia in the pool stage of Cricket League 6 when the event begins in less than a fortnight.

The President of Vanuatu Cricket, Mark Stafford, says the national team is currently playing friendly matches in Australia before continuing their preparations in Europe later in the week.

Vanuatu Cricket finalise Squad for WCL Division Six

Eight teams will be participating in the tournament — Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Botswana, Fiji, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Suriname and Vanuatu.

The 14 man Digicel Vanuatu Squad is as follows:

1. Andrew Mansale (Captain)

2. Jonathon Dunn

3. Jelany Chilia

4. Trevor Langa

5. Patrick Matautaava

6. Nalin Nipiko

7. Simpson Hopeman Obed

8. Joshua Rasu

9. Apolinaire Liplip Stephen

10. Kenny Tari

11. Niko Unavalu

12. Ronald Tari

13. Wolford Kalworai

14. Callum Blake

Vanuatu too Good on Day 1

After winning the toss and choosing to bat under blue skies against the home town favourites PNG A, the Vanuatu batters got off to a slow start losing 2 early wickets to be 2/7.

Top scorer Nalin Nipiko (40 off 19) and Simpson Obed combined for a good 49 run partnership giving them a platform to hit out at the end. Vanuatu posted an excellent 9/172 off their 20 overs with Kabua Vagi Morea picking up 4/20.