Cook Islands cricket lost their opening East Asia Pacific Sub-Regional Qualifying Tournament match in Vanuatu last night.

The national side played Samoa in the second match of day one at the Vanuatu Cricket Ground in Port Vila.

Samoa won the toss and elected to field sending Cook Islands to bat in the opening inning.

Skipper Maara Ave and Hayden Dickson opened for the national side getting off to a slow start before losing their first wicket in the third over.

Ave, who top scored with 28 runs, tried to build a stable partnership with Aue Parima (23) but lost his wicket in the eighth over.

Cook Islands struggled to score 110 runs from 20 overs, losing eight wickets.

In reply, Samoa made a strong start and managed to overcome the target in 11.2 overs for the loss of three wickets to record an impressive seven wickets win.

Cook Islands will take on Fiji at 12.30pm (Cook Islands time) this afternoon. Fiji went down to host Vanuatu by 56 runs in the opener.

The tournament in Vanuatu is played in a round robin format where teams will play each other twice.

The team with the most points qualifies for the next step which is the regional final. Papua New Guinea and Philippines have already secured their place in the regional final. They will be joined by the winner of the tournament in Vanuatu and the winner of another tournament to be played between Indonesia, South Korea and hosts Japan in October 2022.

The matches will be livestreamed on ICC.tv.

Cook Islands – Hori Miller, Benjamin George Vakatini, Davis Teinaki, Tomakanute Ritawa, Tomasi Wellington Vanuarua, Gabe Steven Raymond, Mea Tangi Me Ma’ara Joshua Ave, Cory Russell Dickson, Hayden Bob Dickson, Liam George Roderick Denny, William Teariki-Apainga Kokaua, Thomas Tereapii Nikau Parima, Aue Metua Parima, Danny Brent Simpson, Craig Murray – Team Coach, Rahul Patil – Team Manager. Non-travelling reserves – Pare Rongokea, Christopher Mana, Pati Ataela.