U19 Men’s Cricket Squad Announced Ahead of EAP Qualifiers in Darwin

Newly Appointed U-19 Team Captain, Curran Kendrick

After the historic, first-time Australian Indigenous Cricket Tour wrapped up earlier this month at the Vanuatu Cricket Grounds, which saw the Australian Indigenous Men’s team win 3-1 and the Australian Indigenous Women’s team sweep the wins against Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Cricket Association now looks on to the ICC U19 East Asia Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifier to be hosted in Darwin next month from the 12th-21st of June.

The EAP U-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier provides a chance for teams based in the East Asia Pacific region to qualify for the U-19 T20 World Cup. Vanuatu is set to face six teams including Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, and the winner will decide who advances to the U-19 T20 World Cup to be held in Sri-Lanka next year. The winner of East Asia Pacific qualifier in Darwin will join three other nations – one each from Africa, Europe, and the Americas – as the final four spots in the 16-team World Cup in Sri Lanka. Vanuatu has placed 2nd four consecutive years between the 2007-2013 period and now have the opportunity once again to advance to the World Cup.

Ronald Tari who was recently announced as the head coach of the U19 Men’s Squad will travel with the 14-player squad which will be led by newly appointed team captain, Curran Kendrick and Vice-Captain, Shay Narai who will represent Vanuatu at the tournament. Kendrick, who is just 16 years old, joined the senior Holiday Inn Vanuatu Resort Men’s Team during the Australian Indigenous Tour earlier this month stated.

“I was extremely grateful to be selected in the squad for the national senior men’s team, and even more so for getting to play a match. I think this was a great learning experience for me and will certainly help me in our coming tour in Darwin”.

Kendrick continued

“I feel incredibly honoured to be appointed as the captain for this side, and I think with the way our team is improving we certainly can put up a fight against these bigger teams. The team and I are extremely excited and looking forward to the qualifiers. We hope to get the win and qualify for Sri-Lanka next year”.

All matches will be played at multiple venues in Darwin, Australia and will be live streamed from 12th June. Links to view will be available via the Vanuatu Cricket social media outlets.

The squad selected to represent Vanuatu are:

U-19 Vanuatu National Men’s Team:

1. Curran Kendrick (Captain, Paama Sharks)

2. Shay Narai (Vice-Captain, Tafea Sandalwood)

3. Sahlin Meltetake (Mighty Saints)

4. Steve Sandy (Paama Sharks)

5. Graemila Fakao (Paama Sharks)

6. Cazzavio Yawoi (Tafea Sandalwood)

7. Lino Kalo (Mighty Saints)

8. Seru Vatoko (Splashe Mele Bulls)

9. Raymondo Lekai (Tafea Sandalwood)

10. William Laumae (Tusker Panthers)

11. Josh Molivakoro (Paama Sharks)

12. Walley Mansale (Splashe Mele Bulls)

13. Tevita Frank (Paama Sharks)

14. Rodrick Lekai (Tafea Sandalwood)