Alongside the naming of the U19 World Cup squad, Cricket Fiji CEO, Chairman, development manager, high performance manager and national head coach held a press conference at the Cricket Fiji head office in Laucala Bay Suva, announcing the senior men’s squad bound for Essex, London later in the year.
The 23 man squad announced will be competing in the ICC World Cricket League Division Six competition in Essex, London from September 7th-14th 2015. Eight teams in total have qualified for the tournament in London including Suriname, Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Guernsey, Cayman Islands, Vanuatu and a yet to be named side from Europe.
Fiji regained entry to the Division 6 league late last year with a strong performance in the League qualifiers in Australia recording wins against Indonesia, Philippines, Cook Islands, Samoa and Japan. The wins placed Fiji in the top two of the qualifiers, and alongside Vanuatu, moved them inside the Worlds top 40.
The team named is largely unchanged from the tour that qualified for the tournament in Australia last year, containing seven overseas-based players mainly competing in Australian domestic competitions.
The side is as follows:
Josefa Rika
Giles Smith
Makutu Seru
Metuisela Beitaki
Delaimatuku Sokoiwasa
Sekove Ravoka
Viliame Yabaki
Mesake Digitaki
Jikoi Kida Vanualevu
Riyad Khan
Sowane Puamau
Viliame Mana
Sakiusa Dokosobau
Josaia Baleicikobibia
Peni Volavola
Jone Wesele
Kunaal Kumar (overseas based)
Karan Kumar (overseas based)
Imran Khan (overseas based)
Rabici Lesuma (overseas based)
Tawsheed Tawheed (overseas based)
Jack Smith (overseas based)
Maciu Gauna (overseas based)
The World Cricket League tournament will be a big moment for the Cricket Fiji as finishing in the top two of the tournament would qualify them for the Division 5 competition next year, and a chance at a World’s top 30 ranking.
Press Release