The 2023 Pacific Island Cricket Challenge consisted of a men's Twenty20 International (T20I) and a women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) cricket tournament, that took place in Suva, Fiji, in March 2023.
Both events featured men's and women's national teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu, as well as team representing the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), with all games played at Albert Park in Suva. Papua New Guinea entered an academy team in the men's tournament due to their senior side playing a Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Nepal. The event was sponsored by the Australian Defence Force and also saw representatives from other Pacific island nations such as the Cook Islands and New Caledonia take part in training sessions to help boost the standard of cricket across the region. The arrival of the Vanuatu teams was delayed by the impact of Cyclones Judy and Kevin on the country.
Papua New Guinea won both the men's and women's tournaments.
Men's tournament
Cricket tournament| Dates | 11 – 18 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Administrator(s) | Australian Defence Force and Cricket Fiji |
| Cricket format | Twenty20, Twenty20 International |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout |
| Host(s) |  Fiji |
| Champions |  Papua New Guinea XI |
| Runners-up |  Vanuatu |
| Participants | 5 |
| Matches | 14 |
| Player of the series | Nalin Nipiko |
| Most runs | Nalin Nipiko (271) |
| Most wickets |  Timezeen Rapi (10) |
Squads
| ANZAC Barbarians | Fiji
|
Papua New Guinea XI
|
Samoa
|
Vanuatu
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Round-robin
Points table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Papua New Guinea XI
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1.516 |
| 2 | Vanuatu
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0.992 |
| 3 | ANZAC Barbarians | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1.249 |
| 4 | Fiji
|
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −0.409 |
| 5 | Samoa
|
4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | −3.188 |
Qualified for the semi-finals
Fixtures
| 11 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Fiji 158/6 (20 overs) |
v | ANZAC Barbarians 131 (19.5 overs) |
| Peni Dakainivanua 51* (44) Marc Chappel 2/22 (2 overs) |
Lewin Maladay 33 (26) Peni Dakainivanua 3/14 (4 overs) |
| Fiji won by 27 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Phillip Gillespie (Aus) and Iliesa McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Peni Dakainivanua (Fij) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to bat.
| 11 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea XI 169/6 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 115 (20 overs) |
| Lega Siaka 71 (45) Timezeen Rapi 2/28 (4 overs) |
Matthew Faatea 27 (34) Jack Gardner 3/18 (3 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea XI won by 54 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Sean Campbell (Aus) and Temo Nambuka (Fij) Player of the match: Lega Siaka (PNG) |
- Samoa won the toss and elected to field.
| 13 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Fiji 132/4 (16 overs) |
v | Papua New Guinea XI 139/2 (14 overs) |
| Cakacaka Veretaki 54* (43) Jack Gardner 2/18 (4 overs) |
Lega Siaka 48* (24) Siteri Tabuisulu 2/26 (4 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea XI won by 8 wickets (DLS method) Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Jeremaia Ledua (Fij) and Mervyn McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Lega Siaka (PNG) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to bat.
- Papua New Guinea XI were set a revised target of 135 runs from 16 overs.
| 13 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 165/8 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 148/9 (20 overs) |
| Ronald Tari 56 (40) Timezeen Rapi 3/18 (4 overs) |
Paul Rarotoga 56 (39) Simpson Obed 4/29 (4 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 17 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Sean Campbell (Aus) and Phillip Gillespie (Aus) Player of the match: Ronald Tari (Van) |
- Samoa won the toss and elected to field.
- Matthew Faatea, Liuone Fereti, Maletino Maiava, Bondi Pita, Josef Pita, Timezeen Rapi, Paul Rarotoga, Sitanisilao Toutai, Maene Tuilaepa (Sam) and Godfrey Mangau (Van) all made their T20I debuts.
| 14 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| ANZAC Barbarians 151/8 (20 overs) |
v | Vanuatu 152/6 (19.5 overs) |
| Lewin Maladay 48 (26) Apolinaire Stephen 2/23 (4 overs) |
Nalin Nipiko 58 (30) Matthew Guest 2/20 (4 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 4 wickets Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Iliesa McGoon (Fij) and Temo Nembuka (Fij) Player of the match: Nalin Nipiko (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to field.
| 14 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Fiji 205/5 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 139 (19.1 overs) |
| Cakacaka Veretaki 60 (41) Darren Roache 1/27 (3 overs) |
Josef Pita 46 (39) Petero Cabebula 4/14 (3.1 overs) |
| Fiji won by 66 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Phillip Gillespie (Aus) and Merielle Kenni (Van) Player of the match: Cakacaka Veretaki (Fij) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to bat.
- Peni Dakainivanua, Peni Kotoisuva, Villame Manakitoga, Siteri Tabuisulu, Cakacaka Veretaki (Fij) and Aoga Leutogi (Sam) all made their T20I debuts.
| 15 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| ANZAC Barbarians 172/9 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 54 (12.3 overs) |
| Tom Lavender 87 (47) Timezeen Rapi 3/19 (4 overs) |
Darren Roache 10 (9) Matthew Shean 4/11 (4 overs) |
| ANZAC Barbarians won by 118 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Jeremaia Ledua (Fij) and Temo Nambuka (Fij) Player of the match: Tom Lavender (ANZAC) |
- ANZAC Barbarians won the toss and elected to bat.
| 15 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 154/9 (20 overs) |
v | Papua New Guinea XI 155/3 (14.4 overs) |
| Junior Kaltapau 25 (26) Nosaina Pokana 2/18 (4 overs) |
Doko Rupa 76 (48) Joshua Rasu 2/32 (4 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea XI won by 7 wickets Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) and Rana Stevens (NZ) Player of the match: Doko Rupa (PNG) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat.
| 16 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| ANZAC Barbarians 168/5 (20 overs) |
v | Papua New Guinea XI 157 (18.4 overs) |
| Simon Behl 52 (25) Mahuru Dai 2/31 (4 overs) |
Vani Morea 66 (41) William Schiwy 4/28 (3.4 overs) |
| ANZAC Barbarians won by 11 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Iliesa McGoon (Fij) and Mervyn McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: William Schiwy (ANZAC) |
- Papua New Guinea XI won the toss and elected to field.
| 16 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 223/5 (20 overs) |
v | Fiji 121 (16.1 overs) |
| Nalin Nipiko 100 (49) Peni Kotoisuva 2/56 (4 overs) |
Saimoni Tuitoga 27 (31) Nalin Nipiko 3/34 (4 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 102 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Phillip Gillespie (Aus) and Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) Player of the match: Nalin Nipiko (Van) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to field.
- Uraia Sorovakatini, Saimoni Tuitoga (Fij) and Ala Viraliliu (Van) all made their T20I debuts.
- Nalin Nipiko (Van) scored his first century in T20Is.
Semi-finals
| 17 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 148/9 (20 overs) |
v | Fiji 122/9 (20 overs) |
| Junior Kaltapau 48 (34) Seru Tupou 3/6 (2 overs) |
Seru Tupou 30 (36) Joshua Rasu 2/14 (4 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 26 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Phillip Gillespie (Aus) and Rana Stevens (NZ) Player of the match: Junior Kaltapau (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat.
| 17 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea XI 129/9 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 71 (17.1 overs) |
| Toa Nou 28 (22) Sitanisilao Toutai 2/21 (3 overs) |
Darren Roache 13 (13) Toa Nou 2/2 (1.1 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea XI won by 58 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Mervyn McGoon (Fij) and Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) Player of the match: Toa Nou (PNG) |
- Samoa won the toss and elected to field.
Third-place play-off
| 18 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Fiji 156/6 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 134/9 (20 overs) |
| Noa Acawei 48* (22) Afapene Ilaoa 2/28 (3 overs) |
Timezeen Rapi 28 (19) Peni Dakainivanua 4/32 (4 overs) |
| Fiji won by 22 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Sean Campbell (Aus) and Rana Stevens (NZ) Player of the match: Noa Acawei (Fij) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to bat.
- Afapene Ilaoa (Sam) made his T20I debut.
Final
| 18 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea XI 134 (20 overs) |
v | Vanuatu 127/8 (20 overs) |
| Lega Siaka 58 (37) Tim Cutler 5/13 (4 overs) |
Nalin Nipiko 54 (38) Patrick Nou 3/14 (4 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea XI won by 7 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Phillip Gillespie (Aus) and Mervyn McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Tim Cutler (Van) |
- Papua New Guinea XI won the toss and elected to bat.
Women's tournament
Cricket tournament| Dates | 11 – 18 March 2023 |
|---|---|
| Administrator(s) | Australian Defence Force and Cricket Fiji |
| Cricket format | Women's Twenty20, Twenty20 International |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and knockout |
| Host(s) | Fiji |
| Champions | Papua New Guinea |
| Runners-up | Vanuatu |
| Participants | 5 |
| Matches | 14 |
| Player of the series | Selina Solman |
| Most runs | Tanya Ruma (177) |
| Most wickets | Hollan Doriga (13) |
Squads
| ANZAC Barbarians | Fiji
|
Papua New Guinea
|
Samoa
|
Vanuatu
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Round-robin
Points table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Papua New Guinea
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5.806 |
| 2 | Vanuatu
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1.044 |
| 3 | Fiji
|
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −1.235 |
| 4 | Samoa
|
4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | −2.389 |
| 5 | ANZAC Barbarians | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | −3.690 |
Qualified for the semi-finals
Fixtures
| 11 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea 195/1 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 35 (15.4 overs) |
| Naoani Vare 70* (55) Salema Toomaga 1/11 (2 overs) |
Jacinta Sanele 10 (25) Ravina Oa 3/5 (2.4 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea won by 160 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Jeremaia Ledua (Fij) and Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) Player of the match: Naoani Vare (PNG) |
- Papua New Guinea won the toss and elected to bat.
- Ituniu Faleupolu, Vicky Tafea, Salema Toomaga and Matile Uliao (Sam) all made their WT20I debuts.
| 11 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| ANZAC Barbarians 48 (12.2 overs) |
v | Fiji 50/2 (6.1 overs) |
| Elizabeth Drake 15 (16) Karalaini Vakuruivalu 3/10 (3 overs) |
Ruci Muriyalo 27* (19) Kirsten Benzie 2/8 (2 overs) |
| Fiji won by 8 wickets Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Mervyn McGoon (Fij) and Rana Stevens (NZ) Player of the match: Ruci Muriyalo (Fij) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to field.
| 13 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 94/8 (15 overs) |
v | Samoa 74/5 (15 overs) |
| Rachel Andrew 42 (33) Taalili Iosefo 2/12 (2 overs) |
Taalili Iosefo 29 (18) Marcelina Mete 2/11 (3 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 21 runs (DLS method) Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Iliesa McGoon (Fij) and Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) Player of the match: Rachel Andrew (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat.
- Samoa were set a revised target of 96 runs from 15 overs due to rain.
- Gillian Chilia and Tina Kalosin (Van) both made their WT20I debuts.
| 13 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea 157/3 (20 overs) |
v | Fiji 43/9 (20 overs) |
| Tanya Ruma 45* (35) Ana Gonerara 1/8 (2 overs) |
Karalaini Vakuruivalu 11* (40) Ravina Oa 2/9 (4 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea won by 114 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Temo Nambuka (Fij) and Rana Stevens (NZ) Player of the match: Sibona Jimmy (PNG) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to field.
| 14 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Samoa 89/9 (20 overs) |
v | Fiji 90/1 (15.5 overs) |
| Matile Uliao 15 (16) Ruci Muriyalo 3/17 (4 overs) |
Ruci Muriyalo 49* (47) Ariota Kupito 1/10 (1 overs) |
| Fiji won by 9 wickets Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Sean Campbell (Aus) and Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) Player of the match: Ruci Muriyalo (Fij) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to field.
- Cilia Lewatu (Fij) made her T20I debut.
| 14 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 158/5 (20 overs) |
v | ANZAC Barbarians 107/5 (20 overs) |
| Selina Solman 67* (51) Tayla Seymour 1/17 (2 overs) |
Jenn Harmon 25* (22) Netty Chilia 2/15 (4 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 51 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Jeremaia Ledua (Fij) and Mervyn McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Selina Solman (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat.
| 15 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Vanuatu 64/8 (20 overs) |
v | Papua New Guinea 70/1 (9.1 overs) |
| Selina Solman 30 (36) Sibona Jimmy 2/7 (3 overs) |
Pauke Siaka 26* (22) Selina Solman 1/13 (2 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea won by 9 wickets Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Phillip Gillespie (Aus) and Mervyn McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Selina Solman (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat.
| 15 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| ANZAC Barbarians 84/7 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 85/4 (13 overs) |
| Meagan Campbell 26 (30) Ariota Kupito 2/10 (3 overs) |
Florence Agaimalo 26* (31) Amanda Green 3/13 (3 overs) |
| Samoa won by 6 wickets Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Merielle Kenni (Van) and Iliesa McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Amanda Green (ANZAC) |
- ANZAC Barbarians won the toss and elected to bat.
| 16 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Fiji 47/9 (20 overs) |
v | Vanuatu 48/3 (9.1 overs) |
| Ruci Muriyalo 16 (25) Valenta Langiatu 3/6 (4 overs) |
Rachel Andrew 14 (20) Ruci Muriyalo 1/6 (2.1 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 7 wickets Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Sean Campbell (Aus) and Jeremaia Ledua (Fij) Player of the match: Valenta Langiatu (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to field.
- Mereani Rodan (Fij) made her WT20I debut.
| 16 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| ANZAC Barbarians 74/8 (20 overs) |
v | Papua New Guinea 77/2 (9.3 overs) |
| Tayla Seymour 16 (33) Hollan Doriga 4/13 (3 overs) |
Naoani Vare 37* (32) Amy Wiseman 2/8 (2 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea won by 8 wickets Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Merielle Kenni (Van) and Rana Stevens (NZ) Player of the match: Hollan Doriga (PNG) |
- ANZAC Barbarians won the toss and elected to bat.
Semi-finals
| 17 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea 132/6 (20 overs) |
v | Samoa 86/8 (20 overs) |
| Brenda Tau 57* (50) Taalili Iosefo 1/9 (2 overs) |
Florence Agaimalo 21 (29) Hollan Doriga 3/13 (3 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea won by 46 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Sean Campbell (Aus) and Iliesa McGoon (Fij) Player of the match: Brenda Tau (PNG) |
- Papua New Guinea won the toss and elected to bat.
- Angel Sootaga (Sam) made her WT20I debut.
| 17 March 2023 14:00 Scorecard |
| Fiji 48 (16 overs) |
v | Vanuatu 49/4 (7.1 overs) |
| Ateca Kainoco 12 (20) Netty Chilia 3/7 (3 overs) |
Selina Solman 16 (16) Karalaini Vakuruivalu 3/22 (4 overs) |
| Vanuatu won by 6 wickets Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Merielle Kenni (Van) and Temo Nambuka (Fij) Player of the match: Selina Solman (Van) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to field.
Third-place play-off
| 18 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Samoa 105/9 (20 overs) |
v | Fiji 49 (16 overs) |
| Kolotita Nonu 27 (43) Melaia Biu 3/19 (4 overs) |
Sulia Vuni 9 (11) Florence Agaimalo 3/7 (3 overs) |
| Samoa won by 56 runs Albert Park Ground 1, Suva Umpires: Jeremaia Ledua (Fij) and Temo Nambuka (Fij) Player of the match: Kolotita Nonu (Sam) |
- Fiji won the toss and elected to field.
- Apolonia Polataivao (Sam) made her WT20I debut.
Final
| 18 March 2023 10:00 Scorecard |
| Papua New Guinea 132/7 (20 overs) |
v | Vanuatu 32 (9.3 overs) |
| Sibona Jimmy 37 (38) Marcelina Mete 3/26 (4 overs) |
Rayline Ova 7 (6) Vicky Araa 3/5 (2.3 overs) |
| Papua New Guinea won by 100 runs Albert Park Ground 2, Suva Umpires: Merielle Kenni (Van) and Tomakanute Ritawa (Cok) Player of the match: Sibona Jimmy (PNG) |
- Vanuatu won the toss and elected to field.
- Louise Tastuki (Van) made her WT20I debut.
Notes
- Jone Wesele was named as captain of the Fiji men's squad, but Peni Vuniwaqa captained the side.
References
- "Vanuatu men's cricketers reap earnings boost as 2023 contracts announced". Vanuatu Cricket Association. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
- "Samoa's cricketers gearing up for Pacific Islands Cup". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- "Cricket Fiji will co-host the inaugural Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023". Fiji Village. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "Cricket Fiji to host Men's/Women's Pacific Island Cricket Challenge in March 2023". Czarsportz. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- "Plans to revive cricket". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ "National Men's & Women's Team to Travel to Fiji for Inaugural Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023". Vanuatu Cricket Association. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- "PNG rules cricket". Fiji Times. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- "PNG teams win tourney". The National. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- "Cricket Fiji prepares for PICC23". The Fiji Times. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- "The National Men's team that will represent Fiji to the inaugural Pacific Island Cricket Challenge (PICC23) was announced today". Cricket Fiji (via Facebook). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- "Academy squads to compete in challenge". The National. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- "Samoa names strong team for Pacific Cup". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- "Pacific Island Men Cricket Challenge 2022/23". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- "Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu Men's & Women's Team Through to Pacific Island Cricket Challenge Final". Vanuatu Cricket Association. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- "Cricket teams challenged". FBC News. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- "Cricket PNG announces final squad for PICC". PNG Haus Bung. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- "Samoa gears up for Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023". Loop Samoa. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- "Pacific Island Women Cricket Challenge 2022/23". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
External links
| Pacific region cricket competitions | |
|---|---|
| (South) Pacific Games | |
| Pacifica Cup | |
| Women's T20I Pacific Cup | |
| Pacific Island Cricket Challenge | |
