Defending Champions Team to Beat in Fiji

There is still a long way to go in this competition but after two completed rounds of the LICI Easter Tournament it looks like the defending champions the Suva Warriors are flexing their muscles and showing the rest of the competition that they are worthy of the favorites tag.

The squad is blessed with some of the finest cricketers in Fiji, with the back bone of the squad comprising of the Army team which plays in the Suva League. Add to this the likes of Cricket Fiji 2011/12 Men's player of the year nominee Jo Dabea, Sri Lankan all rounder Riyad Khan and Fiji National Player Colin Rika, you start to put a formidable starting 11 together.

In the first two games they played they have beaten Labasa by 55 runs and on Wednesday spanked the Western Invitation team by 66 runs.

After the first two Rounds the stand out player for the warriors and probably in the tournament to date has been Fiji and Army all Rounder Jikoi Kida who has made scores of 50 not out and 39.

Led by VICC player and former Fiji national player Joeli Mateyawa, this is a team that has prepared hard for this tournament with a camp in the build up and they are here for only one reason and that is to win the trophy again.

"We are here to win, while we respect all the other teams we fear no one and our record shows they should fear us," said Fiji bowler and Warrior Mesui Talebulamaisolomone.

A strong Western Suburbs Cricket Team from Australia had to withdraw from the tournament at the 11th hour due to flight cancellations caused by Cyclone Daphne. On paper they may have provided the Warriors with their biggest challenge had they made it to Suva.

"It is a big regret that our players will not be able to test themselves against what looked to be a strong Australian team as that would have been a showpiece game," said Talebulamaisolomone. "We need to remember why they could not come and maybe next year the chance will come."