16 Aug 2017

Sport: Samoa cricketers finish on winning note

11:29 am on 16 August 2017

Samoa already have an eye on the future after pulling off another major upset against Fiji to finish the East Asia Pacific Under 19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier with two wins.

Heavy rain delayed the start in Apia, with the match was reduced to 25 overs a side.

Man of the match Lester Evile blasted a quick-fire 14 from five balls down the order as the hosts posted 91 batting first.

Fiji made a horror start to their run-chase and were reduced to five runs for three wickets in the fourth over.

A 31-run stand between Jack Charters and Petero Cabebula offered some hope before Evile stepped up with ball to snare 5 for 17 as Fiji collapsed to be all out for 58.

Samoa celebrate another win against Fiji.

Samoa celebrate another win against Fiji. Photo: ICC East Asia Pacific

Coach Imran Adi said most of his squad is aged 15-17 so will be able to come back and build on these performances at the next qualifying tournament.

"We will try to qualify next year - certainly we will have a try and select a good team," he said.

"(With) some more fast bowlers but we have not a long time (to prepare for this tournament) - we have just three months we have to practice this time.

"Which is why first time two matches all the young boys they're nervous but (by the) second and third match they start to learn and the finish was really good".

The other match between champions Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu was rained out and is being replayed on Wednesday.

Coach Kila Pala said while the title has already been secured they want to maintain their unbeaten record.

"Our main focus is to try and win six games. For us now it's just going towards the future and that's in New Zealand (at the World Cup in January)," he said.

"So how we conduct ourselves in the last game (on Wednesday) it will show whether we are good enough, focused enough to be in (the World Cup) and it's crucial when we're in New Zealand".

The PNG Garamuts celebrate a wicket in their win over Fiji.

PNG have dominated the East Asia Pacific Under 19 Championship. Photo: Supplied / Jane Livesey - ICC East Asia Pacific