Kamlesh Barjati
Banned
- Joined
- 26 May 2011
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Samoa might be the only affiliate member country participating in the Pepsi ICC EAP Division 1, but that is of little concern to their squad who plan to make a real impact against the four associate member sides when the tournament kicks off in PNG next week.
The Samoan team breezed through the ICC EAP Division 2 in April undefeated, and are now preparing in New Zealand to take the next step up and challenge PNG, Fiji, Japan and Vanuatu who are the four highest ranked developing countries in the region.
"Samoa will go into the tournament as no doubt underdogs," said Samoan Cricket General Manager Andrew Flynn. "However members of the team are fit, healthy, ready to compete and will be carrying the pride of Samoa with them."
With the step up in standard has come a step up in preparation and professionalism for the national team who have been training in New Zealand at the elite facilities located at Eden Park.
There they have participated in a series of intensive training sessions under the direction of professional boxer and former New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Monty Betham.
Former Black Cap Murphy Sua will coach the side which despite having a wealth of older more experienced players in their lineup will need some young talent such as Tiafala Alatasi to perform well with the ball if they are to make a genuine impact in Port Moresby.
"If I can limit the runs and do my job, and each of us do our job, we will do well," said 18-year-old Alatasi who was the leading wicket taker at the Division 2 event in April.
Young players in the side such as Alatasi and Pritchard Pritchard have previously shown that they have the talent at International level, but senior Samoan player Taitoe Kasiala knows that playing the likes of PNG will be a totally new experience for them.
"Our young players must just not worry or be intimidated by the opposition, we need to make sure they can just focus on their own game," said Kasiala.
The first day of competition on Monday will be a huge test for Samoa as they meet Fiji in the morning and then the hosts PNG that afternoon in two games that will be terrific indicators as to just where this close knit bunch of players are at.
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/newsdetails.php?newsId=16089_1309392000
The Samoan team breezed through the ICC EAP Division 2 in April undefeated, and are now preparing in New Zealand to take the next step up and challenge PNG, Fiji, Japan and Vanuatu who are the four highest ranked developing countries in the region.
"Samoa will go into the tournament as no doubt underdogs," said Samoan Cricket General Manager Andrew Flynn. "However members of the team are fit, healthy, ready to compete and will be carrying the pride of Samoa with them."
With the step up in standard has come a step up in preparation and professionalism for the national team who have been training in New Zealand at the elite facilities located at Eden Park.
There they have participated in a series of intensive training sessions under the direction of professional boxer and former New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Monty Betham.
Former Black Cap Murphy Sua will coach the side which despite having a wealth of older more experienced players in their lineup will need some young talent such as Tiafala Alatasi to perform well with the ball if they are to make a genuine impact in Port Moresby.
"If I can limit the runs and do my job, and each of us do our job, we will do well," said 18-year-old Alatasi who was the leading wicket taker at the Division 2 event in April.
Young players in the side such as Alatasi and Pritchard Pritchard have previously shown that they have the talent at International level, but senior Samoan player Taitoe Kasiala knows that playing the likes of PNG will be a totally new experience for them.
"Our young players must just not worry or be intimidated by the opposition, we need to make sure they can just focus on their own game," said Kasiala.
The first day of competition on Monday will be a huge test for Samoa as they meet Fiji in the morning and then the hosts PNG that afternoon in two games that will be terrific indicators as to just where this close knit bunch of players are at.
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/newsdetails.php?newsId=16089_1309392000
