After a narrow victory over Vanuatu on Tuesday night, the Cook Islands faced Japan in a must-win encounter on Wednesday.

Japan won the toss and elected to bat, but disciplined bowling from the Cook Islands saw the hosts collapse, losing all their wickets for just 90 runs in 18.5 overs.

National captain Ma’ara Ave was exceptional, claiming three wickets in just two overs while conceding a mere four runs. Cory Dickson, Quin Stephens and Jared Tutty contributed significantly with two wickets each, while Hayden Dickson also chipped in with a scalp.

In reply, the Cook Islands’ chase was immediately rattled by an aggressive Japanese opening attack, losing two wickets in the first over with only four runs on the board.

Opener Thomas Parima and middle-order batsman Aue Parima attempted to stabilise the innings, however, they struggled to find their rhythm. Aue managed only eight runs from 19 deliveries before his dismissal triggered a collapse, with three successive batsmen falling for ducks, leaving the Cook Islands’ hopes hanging by a thread.

Resolute at the crease, Thomas anchored the innings before forging a pivotal stand with Oscar Taylor. In a breathless finish that went down to the very last ball, Thomas steered the national side to a three-wicket win, finishing 48 not out to claim Man of the Match.

Cook Islands Cricket Association president Grant Walker said it was “just an unbelievable game”.

“Thomas Parima was unworldly. He’s been battling a bit of flu and to go out in that game situation and bat through all 20 overs was just sublime,” Walker told Cook Islands News.

“The pitch conditions were absolutely terrible. That particular strip has been worn out through a series of games and Japan recognised that in winning the toss and electing the bat first knowing that the conditions would continue to deteriorate.

“I don’t think they believed that we could do as well as we did with our bowling attack and getting some early wickets to put some pressure on them and just an excellent performance in the field where we were taking our catches and keeping pressure on them, ultimately mowing them out for only 90 runs short of the 20 overs was spectacular.”

Walker explained that as the national team began chasing their target of 91, the pitch conditions immediately came to the fore, leaving them in “equally difficult territory” as Japan had been.

“By the ninth over we were in dire straits at 27 for six. At the end of the 12th over we were 40 for seven,” he said.

“At that stage Oscar Taylor came in at number nine and in the 13th over Thomas hit three straight deliveries for boundaries and brought us back to life.”
Walker said Taylor and Thomas’s brilliant partnership anchored the remaining overs, with every ball delivering a bit of drama wrapped in leather.

“We opened the final 20th over needing six runs from six balls for victory. A single, then a drive from Oscar that fell inches in front of a Japanese fielder, bounced high in the air and then slowly rolled over the rope for four more runs set the stage whereby the next single tied the game.
 “The scores level, the next two deliveries failed to score and on the final ball of one of the greatest games in EAP history Thomas Parima struck a no doubt one bounce boundary as the Kuki camp erupted in joy. 

“Just an amazing effort from our bowlers, fielders and a never say die, no quit, indefatigable final partnership.”
Walker said the win over Japan brings the team’s Super 6 record to two wins and one loss, with a 3–1 record overall.

“We now have two rest days, followed by a match in the morning against Indonesia and then a final game again in the morning time slot against Samoa.

“Hopefully we will continue with the same spirit and success as we look at a finish in the top two.”
Cook Islands will face Indonesia on Saturday and regional giants Samoa on Sunday (Cook Islands times).