$5,000 48-Hour Mercy Dash Gets Key Players Nasimana Navaika, skipper Selina Solman and Valenta Langiatu to New Caledonia in time to star in win over Samoa
Vanuatu 86 for 8 (20 overs), Andrew 27 (42), A Chilia 12 (21), Sanel 2-15 (4) defeated Samoa 78 for 8 (20 overs), Poutu 13 (36), Navaika 4-10 (4), Solman 2-11 (4), by 8 runs, at Stade De Cricket De N'Du (N’Du Cricket Stadium), Noumea, New Caledonia
In a thrilling encounter to open the Pacific-France Women’s Championship, Nasimana Navaika and Selina Solman, after travelling for almost two days to arrive at the ground on time, delivered clutch performances for the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu Women’s National Cricket Team to help their country defeat Samoa by 8 runs.
Skipper Selina Solman won the toss and in difficult conditions, elected to bat first. A battling performance saw Vanuatu post 86 for 8 in their 20 overs, led by opener Rachel Andrew's 27 from 42 deliveries.
It was mystery spinner Navaika who broke the game open, however. When the 29-year-old came on to bowl Samoa was cruising on 43 after nine overs, only two wickets down. The right-hander struck with her second delivery and continued in destructive fashion, taking a wicket in each of her four overs, finishing with the remarkable figures of 4 for 10. The 29-year-old also effected the run out of the opposition captain in the 11th over.
Skipper Selina Solman went for a paltry 11 runs from her 4 over spell, bowling the 17th and 19th, conceding just 5 across both overs.
The duo, currently based in Queensland, along with opening batter Valenta Langiatu, were originally scheduled to fly to Noumea from Brisbane on Sunday. However, due to the widespread effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Vanuatu Cricket Association arranged a direct flight from Sydney instead.
What followed was an exhausting 48-hour journey, beginning with an A$800 cab fare from Stanthorpe to Armidale for an overnight stay. Their Sydney-bound flight from the regional NSW town was cancelled the next morning, forcing them to wait for an afternoon service. Upon arrival in Sydney, they were met by a friend of Vanuatu Cricket, who had collected their passports with French visas on Friday and delivered them at the airport.
After another overnight stay in Sydney, they finally boarded the Aircalin flight to Noumea, arriving just in time to train on Sunday and play on Monday.
“All up the venture will cost the Association close to A$5,000, for the three players’ flight changes, taxi, hotels and meals,” said VCA CEO Tim Cutler.
“Hopefully we will be able to recoup some of those costs through travel insurance, but considering how important T20I rankings are now – funding differences for movement only a few place can be upwards of USD30,000 a year for us – it was critical we had our best team on the park, and didn’t they prove that today. Heart stopping stuff!”
All-rounder Rachel Andrew completed what would be awarded Player of the Match honours after her batting innings, both opening the bowling, and also delivering the crucial 18th and 20th overs, finishing with 1 for 12 from her 4-over spell.
Vanuatu’s next match is today, Tuesday, against hosts France, getting underway at 8.30 am UTC+11. Live scoring here.
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