The 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP Men’s Cricket Trophy is now only weeks away, and hosts Samoa are ready for what is shaping as the most important tournament in East Asia – Pacific history.

In a first for the region, Twenty20 cricket will be introduced as a precursor to the main event in a round-robin format, with teams split into two groups based on the final standings from the previous EAP Cricket Trophy held in Auckland, New Zealand in 2007.

Following the Twenty20 competition, the teams will then play a series of 50 over matches, with teams not already embedded in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League competition playing off for a position in Division 8. Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Indonesia and Cook Islands will all be looking for strong performances to give themselves the best chance of moving into World Cricket League.

Newly appointed ICC Associate Member Vanuatu, under the guidance of New Zealand first-class cricketer Bevan Griggs, are warm favourites following their convincing series win earlier this year against Fiji. Budding star Andrew “Joey” Mansale will be vital to Vanuatu’s chances, with his classy middle order batting and attacking off spin, while veteran Pierre Chilia will provide some much needed experience to what is a young and exciting outfit.

Hosts Samoa will also be looking at performing well in this tournament, with former New Zealand test cricketer Murphy Sua in charge. Sua will no doubt relish the expected humid conditions and will be dangerous early on with his left arm swing bowling. If Ben Mailata can hit form in the middle order Samoa will be well on their way to a berth in the final.

The Cook Islands are somewhat of an unknown quantity, however with Captain Chris Brown in charge are sure to push hard for a top 2 finish. Brown, an imposing figure standing at well over 6 feet, is an outstanding fast bowler and middle order batsman, with his pace and bounce sure to trouble many opposition players.

Tonga, with the experience of EAP representative Simione Latu, will also fancy their chances in Samoa. Under the watchful eye of Head Coach Etuate Latu, Tonga will be looking to improve on their 5th placing from Auckland and push towards that much sought after World Cricket League position.

Indonesia will look to continue their rapid development with Under 19 representative Putra Dharmawan leading the squad. Putra will be important to Indonesia’s chances with his medium pace seamers and middle order batting, and under the guidance of Coach Soni Hawoe will be looking for a solid performance in Samoa.

The PNG Barramundi’s, under the direction of first time Captain Christopher Amini, will be looking to perform well against fellow Associate’s and World Cricket League teams Fiji and Japan. Young gun Willie Gavera will bowl with some real pace and the explosive batting of International stars Assad Vala, Vani Vagi Morea and Kila Pala will ensure that the Barramundi’s are hard to beat.

Fiji will also be looking to put in some solid performances under the leadership of Head Coach and former New Zealand Women’s Coach & World Cup winning Australian Women’s Coach Stephen Jenkin. EAP representative Jo Baba will be keen to get amongst the runs as will opener Josefa Rika, while the player to watch will be up and coming spinner Viliame Yabaki, who looked a very talented prospect at the 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP U19 Cricket Trophy in Port Moresby earlier this year.

Japan will be sure to provide stern competition as they continue to build a solid team. Head Coach Richard Laidler will no doubt have his players firing early, and with the talent of Masaomi Kobayashi and Tatsuro Chino in the line-up they are sure to cause some headaches.