Cricket in Samoa has really taken off in the last 12 to 24 months.
New grounds are being constructed, junior numbers are increasing and the administration is committed to see the national side join PNG, Fiji and Japan in the World Cricket League.
A number of very promising young players are starting to push through but for the time being the national selectors have opted to field a very experienced squad for the EAP Trophy.
No player is more experienced than former New Zealand international Murphy Su'a. The left arm quick played 13 tests and 12 ODI's for the Black Caps and is still brisk enough at 42 years of age.
Newcomers Tiafone Paione (17), Totoa Sauniatu (20) and Faasao Mulivai (24), will provide able seam bowling support for Su'a as will the veteran Lautala Fuimoana.
According to Samoa skipper Geoff Clarke, Sauniatu is a very promising swing bowler, who should make an impact.
The key batsman is 24 year old right hander Ben Mailata, a member of the East Asia-Pacific squad for the forthcoming 2009/2010 Australian Country Cricket Championships.
22 year old Pritchard Pritchard is another very talented and highly regarded propsect and is a former member of the EAP regional development squad.
Sipilano Tua has been a reliable run scorer for Samoa over the years and is expected to contribute strongly once again.
Samoa will compete in the division 2 section of the tournament in the 50 over format and the round robin 20/20 competition which involves all eight countries.
The event takes play at the lovely Samoa Gardens Sporting Complex from September 17.
Full fixtures announced in due course.
Samoa Squad
Geoff Clarke 39 (Phantoms CC)
RAOB/RHB
Runs: 222 HS: 43* Ave: 11.10
Wickets: 13 BB: 3-18 Ave: 22.00
Uala Kaisala 35 (Wanderers CC)
WK/RHB
Runs: 109 HS: 54 Ave: 13.62
Dean Seouti 30 (Wanderers CC)
RHB/RAM
Runs: 0 HS: 0* Ave -
Wickets: 5 BB: 2-14 Ave: 14.40
Lautala Fuimoana 39 (Tornadoes CC)
LAM
Runs: 58 HS: 21 Ave: 7.75
Wickets: 12 BB: 3-42 Ave: 18.08
Tiafala Paione 17 (Wanderers CC)
RAMF
Debut
Winston Mariner 39 (SCANZ)
SLAO/LHB
Runs: 58 HS: 17 Ave: 8.28
Wickets: 15 BB: 5-24 Ave: 16.40
Murphy Su'a 42 (SCANZ)
LAMF/LHB
Runs: 252 HS: 33* Ave: 12.60
Wickets: 43 BB: 6-26 Ave: 28.18
Totoa Sauniatu 20 (Sunshine CC)
RAM
Debut
Faasao Mulivai 24 (SCANZ)
RAM/RHB
Debut
Ben Mailata 24 (SCANZ)
RHB/WK
Runs: 145 HS: 72* Ave: 36.25
Sipiliano Tua 38 (SCANZ)
RHB/RAM
Runs: 259 HS: 92 Ave: 28.77
Wickets: 7 BB: 2-16 Ave: 32.00
Pritchard Pritchard 22 (Sunshine CC)
RHB
Runs: 79 HS: 47* Ave: 13.16
Ron Turner 32 (SCANZ)
RHB
Debut
Ken Turner 30 (SCANZ)
LHB
Debut
Reserves: Muliaga Ofisa 17 (Wanderers CC), Faaleleiga Vaisa 21 (Sunshine CC), Osana Faiilagi 20 (Sunshine CC), Konelio Faiilagi 50 (Sunshine CC), Uilisone Taisala 31 (Wanderers CC)
Key players: Murphy Su'a, Ben Mailata, Totoa Sauniatu, Sipilano Tua
Emerging players: Pritchard Pritchard, Totoa Sauniatu, Tiafala Paione
X Factor: Pritchard Pritchard
EAP representatives: Ben Mailata
