Vanuatu women's cricket coach Chris Moran says his squad has improved significantly since competing in their first international tournament two years ago and believes they're in with a chance at this week's East Asia Pacific Women's Cricket Trophy in Sano, Japan.
The winner will compete at next year's Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier, which will determine the final spots at the Women's World Twenty20 in India the following year.
Vanuatu has been preparing for the past eight months and Moran says the chance to test their progress on the world stage is crucial.
"Some of these girls haven't travelled outside their country before so it's not just the cricket, it's the whole life experience for them as well. It only comes around every two years and if they're in that window of opportunity they've got to take it so all their energies rise and interest and they're critical tournaments to be playing in."
Vanuatu play Papua New Guinea in Wednesday's opening round, with Samoa up against the Cook Islands and hosts Japan to play invitational side Cricket Without Borders.
