FIJI’S cricket youngsters have created history by being the first ones to go to a Cricket World Cup after the national under-19s defeated Samoa in their last game of the 2015 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific U19 Trophy.
The event doubled as a qualifying event for the 2016 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Fiji won the toss and sent Samoa to bat, proving a masterstroke as danger man Sosiceni Weleilakeba took three early wickets leaving Samoa struggling on 22 runs for three wickets.
Wickets continued to fall across the morning and two late run-outs added insult to injury, as Samoa were eventually bowled out for 92 runs in the 32nd over.
In reply Fiji made a stylish 93 runs with the loss of only one wicket and 23 overs to spare.
Fijian openers Tadulala Veitacini and Cakacaka Tikoisuva showed little nerves as they raced to 63 off 11 overs, before Veitacini was eventually caught in the outfield.
The wicket showed little effect on Fiji as big hitter Delaimatuku Maraiwai took to the crease and immediately attacked the Samoan bowlers.
Fiji entered cruise control, moving past the Samoan total and into the history books.
Fiji remained unbeaten and overcame a strong Papua New Guinea side earlier, which until last week had never lost to Fiji,
Fiji will now play alongside Australia, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand and others in the 2016 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup.
Fiji coach Shane Jurgensen said winning the tournament had been an amazing effort of hard work which took eight months of preparation.
“But to come to New Zealand and overseas for the first time and be focused on winning and doing whatever is needed to win has just been something I have rarely seen in any cricket team I have been involved in,” Jurgensen said.
“Just a fantastic team effort and team being the most important word because they were all dedicated to the team. Fiji should be so proud of them.”
Cricket Fiji chief executive Inoke Lesuma said it was a historic day for cricket in Fiji.
“No other team has come as far as these boys have in cricket in this country. They’ve worked hard and stayed focused and it has paid off. I think the development work over the past 10 years has paid off as well and it’s going to be a new era for the sport in Fiji,” Lesuma said,
“All eyes ahead to Bangladesh”
Fiji now plays a friendly game today against fourth placed Samoa, second and third placed PNG and Vanuatu will play to keep their slim chance of a Cricket World Cup alive in second chance qualifiers later in the year.
