Wimbo Satwiko

Christoforus Wake of Indonesia A screams with delight after his team’s seven-wicket victory over Fiji on Tuesday. (Photo: Afriadi Hikmal, JG)

Host Makes Flying Start To Under-15 Tournament

Results from the first day of the East Asia-Pacific U-15 Cricket 8s Trophy showed the International Cricket Council’s opinion of Indonesia was right on the money.

The ICC handed Indonesia its past two awards for the best youth cricket initiative, and the host nation’s teams responded by winning three of their four matches on Tuesday.

Indonesia A rolled to victories against Japan and Fiji, and Indonesia B opened the tournament by beating Vanuatu before falling to two-time defending champion Papua New Guinea.

Indonesia A manager I Made Erawan said his team was not out of its depth against Japan and Fiji, teams which he called equal to Indonesia’s level.

“We played smartly as we used good tactics to tame Japan and Fiji,” he said on Tuesday. “We tried to be patient, and we did it.”

Even with the two victories, he was quick to point to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu as favorites to win the tournament.

Andriani, the only girl in the A team, proved too much for opposing batsmen throughout the day. She took three wickets for 12 runs against Japan and followed that with a 4-16 woman-of-the-match performance against Fiji in the afternoon.

Gema Fajar took 2-20 as Indonesia A bowled out Japan for 38 runs. The host then needed just 5.2 overs to compile a winning 40 runs, with M. Anjar Tadarus top-scoring with 12.

Indonesia A got off to a rocky start in the field against Fiji, but a wicket from Rojario Maxi Koda righted the ship. Andriani’s four wickets and a stumping by wicketkeeper Ramadoni Ahmad whittled down the Fiji lineup as the tourists were bowled out for 67 runs in 11.5 overs.

Gema and Ramadoni got the Indonesian innings off to a strong start with 19 runs each. I Kadek Gamantika posted 16 not out and Ramadoni finished unbeaten on 21 to lead the host, which compiled its 69 runs in 7.2 overs.

Indonesia A faces Indonesia B today in the morning session at Purwakarta, West Java, before the A team goes on to play Vanuatu in Karawang in the afternoon.

In other morning session matches, Papua New Guinea and Fiji meet in Cibubur, Samoa plays Tonga in Karawaci, and Vanuatu and Japan play in Karawang.

The afternoon session sees Papua New Guinea and Samoa face off in Cibubur while Fiji and Tonga play in Karawaci.

Indonesia A will set up shop in Karawang on Thursday, facing Samoa in the morning and Tonga in the afternoon.

Results:

Morning

Indonesia A def. Japan by 6 wickets; Japan 38 all out (Arai 14, Andriani 3-12, Gema 2-20); Indonesia 40-1 in 5.2 overs (Anjar 12)

Samoa def. Fiji by 5 wickets; Fiji 67 all out (Daucakacaka 22, Ravula 19, Tini 3-14, Taiala 3-18); Samoa 69-3 in 9.1 overs (Iese 23, Schuster 15, Vaatofu 13*, Vuanicau 1-13)

Papua New Guinea def. Tonga by 10 wickets; Tonga 65 all out (Tenesi 14, Siea 3-16, Vagi 2-8); Papua New Guinea 70-0 in 5.1 overs (Dogodo Bau 45*, Boge 18*)

Indonesia B def. Vanuatu by 3 wickets; Vanuatu 108 all out (Callum 53 retired, Vikerie 20, Agustina 2-35, Desandri 2-11); Indonesia B 109-4 in 15.1 overs (Luki 54 retired, M J Cooper 16, Callum 2-2)

Afternoon

Samoa def. Japan by 45 runs; Samoa 147 all out in 17.1 overs (Tautajaso 39, Tini 27, Lese 25, Yagura 2-18); Japan 102 all out in 19.4 over (Akio 21, Tomohiro 20, Velese 3-15)

Indonesia A def. Fiji by 7 wickets; Fiji 67 all out in 11.5 overs (Talemaitoga 25, Yalinaiwai 13, Andriani 4-16, Gema 2-8); Indonesia A 69-3 in 7.2 overs (Ramadoni 21*, Gamantika 16*, Anjar 19, Ravula 1-19)

Vanuatu def. Tonga by 6 wickets; Tonga 44 all out in 11.3 overs (Tenesi 18, Steven 3-11); Vanuatu 45-1 out in 7.3 overs

Papua New Guinea def. Indonesia B by 6 wickets; Indonesia B 79 all out (Luki 19, Shahrul 15, Sam 2-5, Seia 2-17); Papua New Guina 85-2 in 3.5 overs (Bau 30, Buruka 31, Maulana 2)

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