Samoa determined to rise up rankings

After its success in coming second at the ICC EAP Trophy, Samoa cricket is determined to continue its rise up the international rankings.

"We are working closely with the ICC and key partners such as the Auckland Cricket Association to increase our momentum. At the end of this month, we will have a 14-man Emerging Squad that will tour Auckland in February 2010. This is an invaluable opportunity to build depth in our national squad and increase our footprint in Upolu, Savaii and Auckland with a view to extend that beyond those centres," said President Seb Kohlhase.

Cricket in Samoa has grown professionally over the past two years under the guidance of the Executive and Tina Macumber. The administrative functions actioned by the secretariat now has full-time employed staff.

"Make no bones about it, there's some serious money for our people, if they are good enough, like Ross Taylor to make in cricket. It can be an export commodity if we do things right. So far with the help of the government, we have in place the best facilities in the Pacific, we have on board the type of people to make things work at the required level, and gradually we've constructed the admin and financial infrastructure to complement our serious move up the cricketing international ladder", says Mr Kolhlase.

With that international advancement, President Kolhlase says it is imperative that Samoa Cricket adopts a professional attitude.

"I can tell you right now we have zero tolerance for people thinking they can come to cricket for free trips or holidays. Cricket Samoa knows where it's going and internally we will select people and players based on merit, attitude and commitment. There's no room for bias towards family-members, friends or mates. Those types of thinking must go out the window because to get to where we're going will only be done by picking the best of the best," said Kolhlase.