Brisbane based Fijian Cricketing brothers Karan and Kunaal Kumar have arrived in Suva ahead of preparation for the ICC World Cricket League Six competition in Essex, London in September.
The brother’s reside in Australia, competing in high-level grade cricket for the Sandgate-Redcliffe Gators in Queensland. Their return to Fiji and Fijian representative duties is an exciting prospect for Cricket Fiji, as the duo were instrumental in Fiji regaining entry into the World Cricket League with blistering performances in the 2014 international roster.
This impact was most significant in the ICC East Asia- Pacific men’s trophy in Lismore Australia in late 2014, where the brothers batting and bowling prowess helped secure wins over Indonesia, Philippines, Cook Islands, Samoa and Japan. The wins placed Fiji in the top two of the competition, and alongside Vanuatu, moved them inside the Worlds top 40 and into the World Cricket League Six in England later in the year.
At 21 years of age, Kunaal is set to be bought into the side as an all rounder; specialty fast medium bowler, while older brother Karan is expected to provide the clinical long innings batting needed for the 50-over format Fiji will adjust to in England.
“We were both playing for the Sandgate-Redcliffe Gators in Brisbane and were contacted by the Cricket Fiji high performance unit to come into the side for the World Cricket League qualifiers, it was an honour to be able to use of talent from the Australian Domestic competition to get Fiji back inside the Worlds top 40”, said younger brother Kunaal.
The brothers represent the successful talent-scouting projects of Cricket Fiji in bringing Fijian born players back from domestic competitions in England, Australia and New Zealand and into Fijian sides for the Pacific Games, World Cricket League and U19 Cricket World Cup.
Press Release