Vanuatu are hoping to capitalise on a late call-up to World Cricket League Division Five, when the competition gets underway in Jersey later tonight.
Vanuatu cricket team. Photo: Facebook / Vanuatu Cricket
The Melanesians initially missed out promotion after finishing third at last year's Division Six tournament in England but replaced Suriname in March, after the ICC launched an investigation into the eligibility of some of their players.
Vanuatu have spent the past couple of weeks playing warm up 50-over matches against Denmark and the Marleybone Cricket Club in England and were well beaten by tournament favourites Oman in their final hit-out in Jersey on Thursday.
The Pacific nation last competed in Division Five in 2008 and the President of Vanuatu Cricket, Mark Stafford, said they intend to give it their best shot.
"The late call-up was totally out of our control and the boys have applied themselves in the last two months. Once we got the opportunity they've taken it and they're generally fit - we've got one injured player out of the MCC game but that's sport."
"Our young group continues to improve over time and that means we have every opportunity to win matches in this tournament."
Vanuatu play Guernsey in their first match tonight, followed by games against Jersey, Oman, Nigeria and Tanzania over the next week.
The top two teams will win promotion to World Cricket League Division Four, which is being hosted in Los Angeles later this year.
