Junior Cricket Week sets the scene for national squad selections

This week will see the commencement of a very important week for under-age cricket in Fiji, with the country's best U17 and U19 cricketers battling it out on the cricket field to be considered for selection in
Cricket Fiji national squads.

Four teams will be competing in the games next week at Albert Park. The Eastern Division (Lakeba, Oneata, Komo & Moce) will be represented by the Eastern All-Stars U17 and U19 sides. The Western and Central Division (Lautoka, Nadi and Suva) will be represented by the Western All-Stars U17 and U19 sides.

Each age group will play two games against each other with the games allowing national selectors to pick a Fiji U17 squad for the upcoming East Asia Pacific Cricket Trophy in Vanuatu in early September, and an U19 squad to start preparing for the U19 EAP Cricket Trophy in 2011.

The Eastern Division U17 side is captained by Niko Talemaitoga of Moce and supported by Naipolonioni Gu, also of Moce. Both these players represented their country at the East-Asia Pacific U15 Cricket Trophy in Indonesia in July 2009, and will be looking to follow up with selection in the U17s.

The Western All-Stars U17 side is captained by Ebrain Cassin of Lautoka and consists of a number of boys who also represented their country at the East-Asia Pacific U15 Cricket Trophy in Indonesia in July 2009.

Suva-based players such as Manase Ravula, Metui Daucakacka, Metui Yalimaiwai & Kelemedi Kaci will also be looking to kick on and gain selection in the Fiji U17 side.

The Eastern All-Stars U19 side will be spearheaded by opening bowler Manase Tabu, who also opened the bowling for the Moce men's side at the Easter Tournament in April this year.

Naipolonioni Gu, along with Beitaki Mua from Moce, has been successful in gaining selection for both of the Eastern All-Stars representative sides.

The Western All-Stars U19 side also consists of a number of players that featured in the recently completed Cricket Fiji Elite Player League, which was part of the Fiji Games. Participating in that tournament will have the players ready to face the Eastern Division side.

Captained by Cama Inoke Baudromo of the Moce club in Suva, the side also boasts Vilame Yabaki who has represented his country at U15 and U19 level, as well as being part of the Fiji Blues' side that toured Nepal
for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 in February this year.

The U19 All-stars games will be on Monday, 5 July and Tuesday, 6 July at Albert Park ground 1 and will be 50-over per side games.

The U17 All-stars games will be on Wednesday , 7 July and Thursday, 8 July at Albert Park ground 1 and will be 35-over per side games.