Tobou's new net facility Photo © ICC

The Dewar shield challenge on October 8th to 10th could not have come at a better time for the Tubou cricket association in Lakeba. The new facilities provided as part of the Fiji Cricket and ICC cricket development partnership have recently been completed and Tubou now boasts the latest in artificial turf wickets and practice nets.

Tubou, under the direction of ex -Fiji representative, and current Fiji selector, Ratu Eroni Loganimoce, are hard at practice using the new facilities, and have no intention of relinquishing the magnificent shield after its stay of 35 years in Tubou. They have a strong team mixing youth and experience, including current Fiji representative, Joji Bulabalavu and past representative Lesi Sorovakatini.

The Suva association has named its squad for the challenge, and is using the practice nets at Albert Park. It is a strong Suva team, captained by Joeli Matayawa and containing also National captain Seci Tuiwai but will probably be missing the under 19 star batsman, Colin Rika, who is nominated for a position at the Australian cricket academy in Adelaide during the week of the challenge. Suva is confident of a victory, and is looking forward to a long defence of the shield! The team will be managed by Jerry Baba.

The game promises to be a classic encounter, and if past challenges in Tubou are anything to go by, no quarter will be asked or given. It will be a marvelous boost for Fiji cricket.

Robin Carr
Operation Manager
Fiji Cricket

© ICC