Vanuatu secured a convincing win by six wickets in the first game of the three-match series against Fiji played at Kazaa Field in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Having won the toss and electing to bat, it wasn’t long before Fiji’s batting line up was in damage control as Vanuatu’s opening bowlers ripped through the Fiji top order.

It was home team’s reliable stalwart Patrick Haines (3-55) and youngster Patrick Matautaava (3-33) that kicked things off with accurate and disciplined early bowling that was backed up by enthusiastic fielding that had Fiji reeling at a vulnerable 28-5 in the tenth over.

Fiji’s veteran Joeli Mateyawa made a useful 23 in the middle order before holing out to Smith at long-on off Andrew Mansale’s spin bowling.

At 81-9, it appeared Vanuatu would be chasing a target of 100, but a patient and defiant last wicket stand by Sakaraia Lomani and young wicketkeeper Maciu Gauna contributed a valuable 46 to set Vanuatu a target of 127 for victory.

Vanuatu also got off to a shaky start and when Mansale and Richard Tatwin departed in quick succession, the home team was at a precarious 38-3 off 16 overs and the game was back in the balance.

With the score at 65-4, Simpson Obed (23 not out) joined opening batsman Damian Smith (55 not out) with the game evenly poised and the pressure building up.

However, Fiji failed to maintain pressure and a combination of inaccurate bowling and sloppy fielding enabled the Vanuatu pair to score more easily and eventually the side cruised to victory with six wickets in hand and another 18 overs to spare.

Vanuatu now lead the series 1-0 and the next game will be played on 7 May at Kazaa Field in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Vanuatu beat Fiji by 6 wickets
Kazaa Field, Port Vila, 6 May
Fiji 127 (32 overs, Matautava 3/33, Haines 3/55)
Vanutau 128/4 (32 overs, D Smith 55*)