Three members of the Vanuatu National Women's team are competing in the inaugural Malaysian Super Women League which aims to raise the standard of women's cricket in the country.
Vanuatu cricket captain Selina Solman, opener Valenta Langiatu and spin wizard Nasimana Navaika were invited by the Malaysian Cricket Association to join local Malaysian teams in their four-team Twenty20 league.
The Vanuatu spin wizard Nasimana Navaika in action in Malaysia. Photo: Malaysia Cricket Association
The tournament was organised by the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) to provide elite-level competition for national women players to impress selectors ahead of international assignments in 2020.
President of the Vanuatu Cricket Association, Mark Stafford, said they were happy to support the tournament and are excited about the opportunities becoming available to cricket players in Vanuatu.
"It's fantastic for the individuals concerned but also for all our women in the Vanuatu cricket women's programme," said Mark Stafford.
"It's just wonderful for them to see that there are opportunities by being part of the programme [and] that if they work hard and they perform, that these things will come along from time to time," he said.
Stafford said the Vanuatu National women's team was also planning to travel to Kuala Lumpur in March next year where they will play an international series against Malaysia and other countries.
"Everyone feels really good about the three girls that have gone [to Malaysia]. It's an opportunity that has been provided and taken by the individuals involved," Stafford said.
Its all smiles for the Vanuatu Internationals Selina Solman and Valenta Langiatu with their Southern Jaguars teammates in Malaysia. Photo: Malaysia Cricket Association
In a statement from the MCA, president Mahinda Vallipuram said it was a step forward for Malaysian women's cricket and moving beyond to Australia and Vanuatu.
"This tournament is intended to provide high-performance competition and opposition for the top players in the country while giving younger players the opportunity to spar against higher-level players," said Vallipuram.
"We want to make this a premium event not only in this region but beyond and give opportunities to women to play on an equal footing," he said.
Vanuatu's Navaika has been playing in the Central Super Girls squad while teammates Solman and Langiatu play for the Southern Jaguars.
The four teams - Central Super Girls, Eastern Lioness, Northern Queens and Southern Jaguars kicked off with round robin fixtures on Sunday at the Kinrara Oval, with a final and a third-fourth place playoff to be played this Thursday, January 2.
The trio will be travelling back through Queensland where they will join the East Asia Pacific women's team in the Australian Country Cricket Championships played in Toowoomba from January 3 to 11, 2020.