Cook Islands host indigenous series

The New Zealand Croatia side managed by Northern Knights first class cricketer Joseph Yovich have only just left Rarotongan shores and Cook Islands cricket is already preparing for the arrival of the Northern (New Zealand) Maori.

The Maori side will be participating in the World Indigenous series, a concept Cook Islands cricket has instituted and intends to grow annually to include more indigenous sides from around the world.

The Northern Maori include top level cricketers including former Northern Districts’ cricketer Graeme Stewart, Bay of Plenty’s Steven Rae and captain Leighton Parsons from the Waikato Valley.

Cook Islands cricket chief executive officer Alister Stevic said that Cooks cricket were passionate about attracting strong sides to the Cook Islands “for Cook Islands cricket the objective is about providing opportunities for our national cricketers to play against strong opposition that enhances our competitiveness on the international stage.

The establishment of our Festival of Cricket, open to junior and senior club sides around the world, the recent New Zealand Croatia visit and the World Indigenous Series are all efforts that add value to this objective”.

The Twenty20 series will be played under lights at the International Stadium between September 23 and 27 and will include two exhibition matches against The Edgewater Resort and Spa Cook Islands national women’s team.