Elite Player League starts with exciting clashes

Cricket Fiji's Elite Player League starts on Saturday with two mouth-watering clashes promising an exciting start to the competition.

Last year's champions, Suva Capitals will take on the Sigatoka Dunes at Albert Park 2, while the Western Bulldogs will play the Lau Voyagers in the second match at Albert Park 1.

The Bulldogs will be captained by national team skipper Joe Rika, who will play an important role in setting his team up for victory against the Lau Voyagers.

Rika will be looking to use his batting skills to launch the Bulldogs to a big total in their first match. He'll be helped by his Fiji Blues teammate Maciu Gauna, and the two of them will form the backbone of the Bulldogs batting attack.

They should be helped by all-rounders Kiti Tavo and Tauyesa Vakarau, who are both explosive lower order hitters capable of taking an attack apart on their day.

Tavo returns to Cricket Fiji's elite program after almost two years absent and will be looking to show that he is still a force to be reckoned at this level.

The Voyagers, however, will be determined to get off to a good start in their first year in the competition and will be looking to their experienced captain, Joe Dabea, to lead a team with an exciting mix of youth and experience.

The team includes two young batsmen of similar styles in Sekove Ravoka and Ebrahim Cassim. Ravoka has already played for the Fiji Blues while Cassim, at just 16 years of age, is already being identified as a player with the potential to play for Fiji in the future.

Both young batsmen play a style of game that the national selectors are looking for in national team players, working the ball around and playing along the ground, so this will be an opportunity for both players to impress.

They will be assisted by the experienced all-rounder Waisake Tukaha, who will pose danger with both bat and ball to the Bulldogs.

With both teams containing players who are capable of turning a game with outstanding performances this match should be a close tussle to the end.

In the weekend's other match, the Suva Capitals will be led by former Under 19 national team skipper Viliame Yabaki. The young leg-spinner will relish the opportunity to lead a team at this level and work with an interesting mix of players.

The Capitals bowling attack will be led by Fiji Blues pace spearhead Sakaraia Lomani. Lomani has proved time and again that he is a dangerous bowler at all levels, including World Cricket League competitions, so he should be a dominant force in this league.

The batting line up for the Capitals includes two players the national selectors will be keeping an eye on during the league. Both Mosese Ravula and Rukesh Patel will be making their EPL debuts this weekend and selectors will be keen to see what they have to offer at this level.

Patel has dominated the recent Under 19 Western Conference tournament and it will be interesting to see whether he can take that form to the next level.

Their opponents, the Sigatoka Dunes, will be led by experienced off spinner Iniasi Cakacaka. The skipper combines his bowling talents with good batting ability that can turn a game at this level.

He'll be supported by batsman Eric Browne, who will be keen to show he is worthy of a national team re-call after just missing out on the tour to Nepal earlier this year and young paceman Tukana Tavo who can cause plenty of problems with his pace and bounce.

This match looks set to be a close fought battle that will see an exciting start to the 2010 EPL season.