The Cook Islands Cricket national teams have recently completed a historic New Zealand tour with a series of programmes, says association president Grant Walker.

The tour saw the women’s team compete in the 2024 SouthSeas Pacific Cup International Tournament last week, securing fifth place, while the men’s side played warm-up matches in preparation for the ICC Qualifier in August.

Walker said the teams had fun and played games that would hopefully bring cricket in the Cook Islands to new heights.

Laying out the magnitude of the tour, Walker explained that they brought their island selections and coaches to join their New Zealand-based players for both teams.

He said the men’s team assembled at Auckland University Cricket Club (AUCC) with coach Craig Murray and assistant coach Hori Miller rotating the lineups and observing a revamped squad.

“We brought three new guys from Raro, Tikove Pirra who’s 22, Tiaki Wutai and Addison Rowe, who are both 16 years old, along with the three guys returning from the 2022 team,” Walker said.

“We’ve also added a few fellows from New Zealand who heard about our programme and wanted to try out. Oscar and returnee Liam Denny are both 18 and serious talents.”

Walker mentioned the return of the Parima brothers and Captain Ma’ara Ave, alongside newcomers Jared Tutty, Milton Kavana, and young Mangere Pukapuka boys Luka Rakuraku and MJ Williams.

“I can say we’ve got a very good young core; they are talented, hungry, and competitive. We are all very excited about the upcoming ICC Qualifier in August.” 

Walker noted that the squad was missing a few starters in the first two games a week ago and played a mix-and-match lineup, resulting in a win and a loss. However, he emphasised that the results were secondary to the purpose of the tour.

The team played two more games, losing the first but then securing an impressive win after Thomas Parima and Ma’ara Ave arrived.

“I think the coach saw what a nearly complete team looks like for us, and it’s exciting.”

As a highlight of the tour, Walker arranged for 70 tickets to the Black Caps versus Pakistan game at Eden Park on Friday, January 12.

“We all wore our tour green and yellow Kuki polos, so it was a sea of green and gold in section 324, and it was a great game and a great night.” 

“The Kumeu Cricket team came and heaps of our families and supporters. It was just wonderful to see the community spirit and support for our programme and country.”

Both teams also travelled west to Kumeu Cricket Club, where Anton Vuchich, a major supporter of Cook Islands cricket and member of the Croatian team that toured Rarotonga in 2014, arranged a match against a select team from the New Zealand Players Association.

Once again, the Cook Islands added talent with the arrival of Aue Parima for his first action, and the boys went on to sweep the three-game series.

“It was an impressive showing for the Cooks, and a sign of things to come. Tiaki Wutai starred in his bowling stints and the team showed skill and passion. 

“It was an incredible tour, a milestone in Cook Islands Cricket. Now the hard part begins.”