Sinclair To Assist Cook Islands Cricket

New Zealand cricketer Mathew Sinclair will hit teh Cook Island shores this week as part of a newly formed partnership between Cook Islands Cricket and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

The partnership will see regular visits from New Zealand cricketers to the Cook Islands who will assist in the development of high performance initiatives. CEO for Cook Islands Cricket Alister Stevic said that the partnership offers a significant step forward in the international status of cricket for the Cook Islands;

"The development of cricket in the Cooks over the past two years has been superb, real testament to the passionate people and volunteers in our community, we must continue to take a strategic approach toward our future if we are to cement ourselves as a world class minnow cricketing nation. This programme provides cricketers, coaches and administrators the opportunity to learn from regular visits by talented and experienced New Zealand cricketers and is a great leap forward in realising our objectives."

While the emphasis of Sinclair's three week visit is centred round creating elite sustainable resources for local conditions; clubs and players will also have the opportunity to meet and receive coaching from Sinclair. NZCPA's Career and Personal Development Manager, Dr Aidan Curzon-Hobson who has been an integral part in working with Stevic to establish the partnership, is excited about working with Cook Islands Cricket;

"I understand that Cook Islands Cricket has had real resurgence over the past two years and has ICC Associate status within its sight and by linking our New Zealand players with this vision we support senior player aspirations around their coaching and mentoring careers."

Stevic also commented that a second visit for the season was on the cards;

"We are very close to securing a second player, while I can't give too much away at this time I can say that it is a female player who has an impressive international record for the White Ferns."

Sinclair who played thirty two tests and fifty four one day internationals for New Zealand and holds the world record for the highest score (214) by a number three batsmen on debut will touch down on the 5th September.