The leading 14 players from the EAP region will take on teams made up of the best Australian country cricketers from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and the ACT in a series of T20, 50 over and two day matches.
In a first for the EAP team both their coach and assistant coach have also been selected from the region with PNG's Rarua Dikana named as head coach and Vanuatu's Peter Wooden as assistant coach.
The ICC EAP first took part in this event in 2004 and last year finished a record 4th out of the eight participating teams. With another strong squad selected, Dikana is optimistic this side is capable of some big things come January.
"I think we have a team that has the potential to win the ACCC this time around. Last year was our best performance in our eight year involvement with these championships and this year the majority of the team come to Bundaberg with three months of regular cricket in Australian club set-ups, so they are well prepared," said Dikana.
"The Vanuatu players bring a lot of confidence after a successful WCL 8 campaign in September and the international program for the PNG boys continues to grow each year. I'm looking forward to this group showcasing the ever-improving standard of cricket in the East Asia-Pacific region and challenging for our first ACCC title."
However preparation for the East Asia-Pacific side has not been all smooth sailing suffering a double blow last month with the news that key Samoan pair Ben Mailata and Faa'sao Mulivai, are unavailable for the championships.
"The loss of our Samoan duo, Mailata and Mulivai, is significant," said Dikana. "Ben's middle-order batting and calming influence was important in 2012 and Faa'sao provided much needed height and bounce with the ball. However, I'm confident we'll see a much stronger and fitter Willie Gavera this year after injury ruled him out early in the 2012 event. Willie will lead the bowling attack and shoulder much of the load."
The loss of the experienced combination provides the opportunity for two of the regions younger talents in PNG's Lega Siaka and Samoa's Tiafala Atatasi who will make their ACCC debuts in 2013.
With a current world ranking of 19, PNG players dominate the side with 10 players selected including the captain Chris Amini. Vanuatu has three players including the vice-captain Andrew Mansale and Alatasi is Samoa's representative in the side.
2013 ICC EAP Squad
Chris Amini - PNG (C)
Andrew Mansale - Vanuatu (VC)
Assad Vala - PNG
Charles Amini Jnr - PNG
Chris Kent - PNG
Jack Vare - PNG
Jason Kila - PNG
Lega Siaka - PNG
Nalin Nipiko - Vanuatu
Norman Vanua - PNG
Patrick Matautaava - Vanuatu
Tiafala Alatasi - Samoa
Tony Ura - PNG
Willie Gavera - PNG
Rarua Dikana - PNG (Coach)
Peter Wooden - Vanuatu (Assistant Coach).
