THE Fiji men’s under-19 cricket team is currently dedicated to improving their batting skills, mental attitude, and strategic game planning as they gear up for the ICC East Asia-Pacific World Cup division one qualifier in Japan.
High Performance manager, Tomasi Nawaciono, has expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparation thus far.
The team comprises players from various schools and cricket associations across Fiji, showcasing the rich talent pool within the country.
“Currently the team comprises one player from QVS, one from RKS, one from John Wesley College, one from Lami High School, two from Nabua Secondary School, three from Moce Secondary School, Ratu Finau Secondary School, one from New South Wales University, one from Suva Muslim, one from Suva Grammar School, and one from Kabara Cricket Association,” said Nawaciono.
“Four team members that participated in the initial EAP qualifier in Darwin, Australia, in 2023, where they secured a commendable second place in the region and advanced to the division one qualifier they are currently preparing for.
“One player from the U19 team also had the honor of representing the senior men’s team in the T20 World Cup qualifier in Samoa in 2024, providing valuable experience to the squad.”
While the team excels in bowling, the current focus is on enhancing their batting skills to secure success in the upcoming qualifier.
Despite facing challenges such as the unavailability of proper cricket grounds for training and match practice until recently, the team is grateful to the Suva City Council for granting access to a cricket pitch as of last week.
The upcoming tournament will pose a significant challenge as the team goes head-to-head against strong contenders from PNG and Japan.
The competition will be held in Japan from April 22-30.
