Heart the key

Despite most competing cricket teams having ten years of cricketing experience over the Cook Islands national women’s team, Cook Islands Cricket CEO Alister Stevic says heart and enthusiasm will drive the Cooks performances at their first international cricket tournament in Vanuatu.

Stevic says the Cooks are known globally for having a very unique style of cricket played with plenty of enthusiasm and heart.

”In my mind we are the most exciting Twenty-20 nation in the world and that comes down to playing with heart and enthusiasm, two key factors in what I believe will drive the girls’ performances against more seasoned teams,“ says Stevic.

Stevic commented that the girls have spoken a lot about the opportunity of what being the first women to represent the country means.

”It is an opportunity for the players to create legacy and moreover an opportunity to set the standard for energy, commitment and passion for every future women’s team to come – that’s pretty powerful and in itself a great motivating factor.“

While the girls are realistic, they are definitely not heading into the tournament to make up numbers.

”Certainly not, this is the most special group I have ever been involved with, the team environment is fizzing with anticipation and our girls understand what is at stake here. First and foremost they want to perform for their country and people around the world, they also understand what a solid performance means for the growth of Edgewater women’s and ANZ junior girls cricket in the country and they are excited to be able to contribute to that.“

The local women’s team departed early this morning with their first game against tournament favourites Japan.

You can track the progress of the team’s performances here at CINews and on Cook Islands Cricket’s website and facebook page.