International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia Pacific Trophy // Fri, 11 Jan 08
On 29th November the Indonesian National Cricket team departed Jakarta enroute to Auckland, New Zealand for the International Cricket Council (ICC) East Asia Pacific Trophy, convened from December 2nd through December 8th.
The six nation round robin format tournament, the first of many stages for qualification to the 2011 ICC World Cup. Indonesia ranked 86th in the One Day International (ODI) rankings, would need to secure at least four wins from their six games to ensure progression to Jersey, England for the next stage of qualifying.
The six participant nations included Japan, Cook Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Indonesia. With Japan, and the Cooks as pre-tournament favorites.
The 14 man Indonesian squad was well represented by Bali, with Aussie expatriates Chad Paull (Captain), and Courtenay Werleman - both members of the Bali Geckos CC. And three Balinese local lads in Wayan Suandi, Yeri Bowonga, and Putra Damawansa - all representatives of the Udayana CC. The balance of the team selected from the Jakarta Cricket Association (JCA).
Indonesia’s first game of the tournament was against the experienced Cook Islands, with no less than a half dozen of their squad currently playing first grade in the Auckland competition. Indonesia loss the toss and were sent into bat on a very green and damp wicket (favorable to the fast bowlers). After a solid start to the innings, Indonesia lost their first wicket at 1 for 23runs in the 6th over. Unfortunately, this resulted in a mini-collapse through the middle order, as Indonesia slumped quickly to 6 for 84 runs. The tail ‘wagged’ somewhat, with Indonesia all out for 148 runs in the 44th over. (Top batsmen: Simon Turnbull 17 runs, Pratyush Chaturvedi 16, and Courtenay Werleman 14)
148 runs was unlikely to be enough of a total to defend, however Indonesia was brilliant with the ball and in the field. Wayan Suandi strangled the Cook openers with only 17 runs conceded from his first 5 overs. Cooks were looking to consolidate at 4 for 71 runs, but Werleman struck with two wickets in consecutive overs, to leave the islanders in a perilous position at 6 for 85 runs, and the tail exposed. Unfortunately, Werleman quickly went from hero to villan when he dropped a return catch off his own bowling with the new batsmen facing his first ball. The same batsmen went onto to finish with 44 not out and Cook Islands did not lose another bat, to win by 4 wickets in a very close game.
Indonesia were in a buoyant mood going into their next match versus tournament heavyweights Japan, secure in the self-belief that they could compete with the top teams at this level. Unfortunately, this buoyant mood linger long as the Japanese quicks ripped through the Indonesia top order like a hot knife through butter. Indonesia all out for only 105 runs in 32 overs. The only significant contributions with the bat from Bali based Yeri Rosonga with 11runs and Courtenay Werleman with a well made 37 not out.
Japan easily reeled in the modest Indonesia total with the loss of just two wickets in 18 overs.
With the daily schedule of back to back matches, there was no time for naval gazing by the Indonesian squad - as they would have to bounce back from a Japanese thrashing to take on Tonga the following morning. Having played the two pre-tournament favorites in the first two games, Team Indonesia were quietly confident they would find their first victory against the Tongans.
The Tongans won the toss and rightfully elected to bat first on what was a hard and even batting track. Tonga raced away to be 73 runs without loss after only 18 overs. Wayan Suandi bowled beautifully but without much luck, and Team Indonesia were staring at the prospect of chasing a mamoth 300+ score midway through their innings, as Tonga reached 152 runs with the loss of just two wickets. Indonesia fought their way back into the match, to bowl Tonga all out for 262. Courtenay Werleman finishing with 3 wickets for 44 runs and Simon Turnbull 3 for 58.
The run chase began very poorly with all of the top order failing to score again, albeit for the contribution from ‘out of form’ Captain Chad Paull, who looked to be set for his first big score of the tournament before holing out to deep third man for 28 runs. Werleman joined 17 year old Jakarta cricketer Pratyush Chaturvedi at the crease with the Indonesian batting card reading 4 for 66 runs, still a daunting 200 runs in arrears. Werleman and Chaturvedi piled on 109 run partnership for the 5th wicket to put Indonesia well within reach of victory. Werleman eventually out for 44 runs, and the victory equation became 89 runs needed to win from 90 balls remaining with 5 wickets remaining. Young Pratyush was run out with a direct hit on 75 runs, and Indonesia needed just 21 runs from 19 balls with 3 batsmen waiting in the sheds. Unfortunately, Lady Luck deserted Indonesia once again, and two more direct hit run outs resulted in a heartbreaking narrow defeat.
Three matches, three losses. However, with a game or two going Indonesia’s way in other fixtures, the mathematical probability of progressing was still alive - subject to realising a win against Vanuatu. Unfortunately, Indonesia saved the worst performance of the tournament for this match. Bowling first on a good wicket, Indonesia were well on top midway through Vanuatu’s innings, as the Pacific Islanders limped to 6 for 107 runs. Lacking the neccessary killer instinct to finish off their rivals, the Vanuatuans composed themselves to finish with 236 runs. Another opportunity to seize the game had slipped the Indonesians, and all players left the arena in the knowledge that another opponent was ‘let off the hook’. The gloomy mood transpired into an insepid batting display, and Indonesia were bundled out for an embarrasing total of only 74 runs.
Now out of contention, the final game versus Samoa would be a game played purely for pride. A chance to finish the tournament on a high note. Chad Paull saved his best batting peformance for last, with a stylish 56runs, and Indonesia completing their 50 overs for 168 runs. Certainly a defendable total on a wicket that offered plenty for the bowlers. Samoa were 5 for 104 runs, and Indonesia could taste victory. However, the taste lasted less than a cheap brand of bubble gum, as the Samoans notched up their second victory with a narrow 3 wicket win.
Congratulations to Japan and Vanuatu who now progress to the Division 5 tournament in England.
Special mentions to the following Indonesian players:
1. Chad Paull: 1st in wicket keeper dismissals overall for the tournament.
2. Courtenay Werleman: 8th in batting overall for the tournament. 6th in bowling overall.
3. Pratyush Chaturvedi: 9th in batting overall for the tournament. Included in team of the tournament.