22 Feb 2017

Sport: Vanuatu cricketers keep focus

12:35 pm on 22 February 2017

Vanuatu insist there's no room for complacency despite a dominant start to the East Asia Pacific World Cricket League Qualifier.

They're targeting a return to Cricket League Division Five after being relegated from the same stage last year.

Vanuatu top the standings in Bendigo after sizeable wins over Indonesia and the Philippines.

Vanuatu have made an impressive start in Bendigo.

Vanuatu have made an impressive start in Bendigo. Photo: ICC / Jane Livesey

But head coach Shane Deitz said it's important to stay focused and not peak too early.

"Every game's a final so that's how we're treating it and we're going hard every game," he said.

"We've got to put pressure on the opposition, which is what we're doing, and it's working out for us so far.

"We've blooded a few under 19s players into our starting eleven so they've fitted in really well, so that's a good sign for us for the future, so everything is working out according to plan at the moment.

"But we've got Samoa and Fiji, which are two good sides, coming up so that will be the next two tests for us."

Fiji defeated neighbours Samoa by three wickets.

Fiji defeated neighbours Samoa by three wickets. Photo: ICC East Asia Pacific

Fiji are the other unbeaten side in Bendigo and take on Japan in their next encounter.

Captain Jikoi Kida said they have gained confidence from their strong start.

"We were expecting Philippines and Samoa to be strong in the first two games so to win, for us, that's a big achievement in the two games, so two down and three more to go."

Indonesia face the Philippines in today's other third round match.