The Cook Islands lawn bowls squad is nothing less than world class.

The team of 14 is easily the Cooks’ most internationally experienced code, of the six sports codes the country will compete in at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Humility is one of the standout features of the squad that features local, regional and world games athletes.

Men’s team manager Nelson Akava said that the competition in Delhi will only feature the singles, pairs and triples divisions and no fours.

Pairs and triples will be played in the first week of the games and the singles will roll out in the second week.

The men’s triples team is Vaine Henry, Denis Tokorangi and Ioane ‘Vou’ Tou.

This is Tou’s debut at a Commonwealth Games while Henry and Tokorangi have Commonwealth and World Games experience.

A skip for this team is yet to be confirmed.

Tupou Mahia and Takai Kairua will compete in the pairs division and Papa Pita Toto will go solo in the singles division.

In the women’s squad, the most experienced and photographed local bowler, Kanny Vaile, will skip the women’s triples team that includes lead Tai Tangi and second Porea Elisa.

Mou Tokorangi will skip in the pairs and is partnered with lead Nana Tere.

Irene Tupuna is going to go it alone in the women’s singles division.

The women’s team is managed by Ana Kairua.

The draw for the Commonwealth Games has yet to be confirmed, however, Malaysia is said to be the biggest threat on the greens here in Delhi.

The team will play on an artificial carpet green at the main Jawaharlal Stadium and competition will be played in four section of seven teams.

Akava explains that the green, although carpet, acts the same as the green at the Rarotonga Bowling Club, although much smoother with no lumps and bumps.

The team expects to play three games a day from mid-afternoon to late evening, which will mean quick adaption to the green by the team as it changes condition from dry during the day to damp (caused by dew) in the early evening.

Another challenge the team will face are bugs!

Bugs and moth attracted to the flood lights of the grounds are proving a handful for the team including one bizarre super sized critter that looked like a prehistoric cockroach – although a quick flick with a towel gets rid of it.

The biggest and most impressive challenge the team has overcome has been the total no smoking ban at the venue.

After two days of training at the non-smoking grounds – the team’s smokers say they are ‘feeling’ good as they learn to play the sport they love without cigarettes – and impressive feat in itself.

The team would like to pass on their love to family and friends and assurances that they are well and being looked after.

Messages for the team can be sent to matariki@cookislandsnews.com