Fiji names squad for 2011
Four overseas-based players and four first-timers have been named in Cricket Fiji's senior squad for 2011.
The squad of 38 players met for the first time with Cricket Fiji officials on Saturday to discuss the upcoming year which will include at least three international tours.
They will commence training on March 1 and undergo intense fitness work for a month ahead of the Cricket Fiji Easter tournament which will serve as the main selection trials.
The squad will then be trimmed to 25, plus international players, before the team makes its first trip of the year in July to the East Asia Pacific Twenty20 Tournament in Papua New Guinea.
Among the international players are Australian-based Tasheed Taheed and Maciu Gauna, along with Jikoi Kida who is deployed in Syria with the army and Imran Khan who lives in the United States and is the leading wicket-taker in the Northern California competition.
Four players have been named in the squad for the first time, including Under 19 player Noa Acawei who starred for the Fiji team in the recent EAP tournament in Brisbane where he made 89 not out against Indonesia and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
The other first timers are Rukesh Patel, Peni Dakai and Tomasi Nawaciono.
High performance manager Steve Jenkin said the final squad of 25 will train together throughout the year with a final team selected before each international tour.
"Just because a player doesn't make the first team, does not mean he will not be under consideration for the other two tournaments," Jenkin said.
"It's vital that we have a diverse group to draw from because some players are stronger in different formats of the game and we will be playing in both Twenty20 and 50-over tournaments this year.
"However, players from outside the squad who perform strongly domestically can still force their way into the team."
The World Cricket League in September is the major focus for the side as they look to climb out of Division 6 where they dropped to last year.
A top two finish here will see the side moving up a division with another tournament early in 2012.
Noa Acawei (Army), Josefa Dabea Baleicicia (TFL), Eric Browne (VICC), Greg Browne (VICC), Ilikena Bula (Nakavu), Joji Bulabalavu (VICC), Iniasi Cakacaka (Moce), Peni Dakai (TFL), Vilikesa Driu (Nakavu), Inoke Kunau (Nakavu), Apolosi Lewai (Lakeba), Sakaraia Lomani (Army), Tomasi Nawaciono (Moce), Gaurang Patel (Lautoka) Rajeev Patel (Lautoka), Rukesh Patel (Lautoka), Steve Pratt (VICC), Mesui Qalobula (Army), Finiasi Railala Ledua (Moce), Sekove Ravoka (Nadi), Mosese Ravula (Moce), Colin Rika (Sarafui), Josefa Rika (Knights), Omid Saberi (TFL), Tukana Tavo (Army), Kitione Tavo (Army), Viliame Ratu Tuidraki (Nadi), Iliesa Caro Noke (Nadi), Anare Tuidraki (Nadi), Patrick Tuidraki (Nadi), Waisake Tukaha (Knights), Tauyasa Vakarau (Nadi), Taniela C. Waqaituinayau (TFL), Viliame Yabaki (Moce), Tasheed Taheed (Australia), Imran Khan (USA), Maciu Gauna (Australia), Jikoi Vanualeva Kida (Syria)
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