
Vanuatu’s men’s cricket team embarks on a crucial journey today as they depart for Sydney, marking their final preparatory phase before heading to Malaysia for the World Cup Challenge League play-off.
In the initial stage of the tournament, Vanuatu will face stiff competition from Bahrain, Tanzania, and the host nation in pool play.
Should they progress from this phase, the team will advance to the next stage, competing alongside three other contenders: Bermuda, Italy, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
These matches will mark Vanuatu’s return to the international stage since mid-2023. Maintaining their competitive edge has been a challenge, particularly as some players have been occupied with overseas work, notably in fruit picking roles.
One notable addition to the squad is Tim Cutler, the CEO of Vanuatu Cricket, who is now eligible to represent his adopted country. Cutler, a skilled left-arm spin bowler, boasts experience from grade cricket in Sydney, widely regarded as one of the highest levels outside the professional circuit.
Guiding the team for the first time is head coach Chris Laffan, who honed his coaching acumen in the Melbourne club scene. Laffan emphasizes the critical importance of success in Malaysia for the future development of cricket in Vanuatu.