Weather permitting, the 2024 Rarotonga Super Slam Competition’s first round will start today.

Cook Islands Cricket Association president Grant Walker said the new Rarotonga Super Slam will begin with the first round of the men’s competition, while the women’s teams are still forming and will begin their competition shortly.

Walker said four select men’s teams have been formed for this new format.

The four sides will be the East Coast Onu, helmed by Vane Tangimetua and Panni Vailoa, the Nikao King Wolves, spearheaded by Melody Melota, the Tupapa Tiger Sharks, led by Davis Teinaki, and Oceans 11, with a squad of “miscreants” collected by Cameron Thorpe.

Walker said: “This competition will see some of the best, and most passionate local cricket players play T20 games under the watchful eyes of the association.”

“The goal is to develop the local game in all phases.”

Walker said one major component of this competition is that veterans Kunta Ritawa and Makiroa Mato will oversee the umpiring programme.

“They both recently completed an ICC Tutor course and will be utilising those lessons in the Slam,” he added.

The competition will also have dedicated fields for the men’s and women’s games.

The games will be played back-to-back, with the early game starting at 11.30am, followed by the afternoon match at 3pm.

The Cook Islands Cricket Association believes this will provide better coverage, better oversight, and allow them to develop different aspects of cricket for each programme.

Walker added that this will help provide continuity and focus to each programme.

Fixture

(Home) Tupapa Tiger Sharks vs Oceans 11 – 11.30am; (Home) East Coast Onu vs Nikao King Wolves – 3pm