The Northern Knights cricket team from New Zealand received a warm island greeting on Monday afternoon including a warrior turou (welcome), Cook Islands drumming and an ei and kiss by Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin.

The Northern Knights are New Zealands major first class cricketing team and they are on the island for a 9-day spring training camp.

Their visit will also include a historical cricket match against the Telecom Cook Islands national squad on Friday.

Sun tanning will be the last thing on the minds of the visiting players as they have a full on programme of skills training as well as supporting local cricket competitions.

Today the team will check out the youth cricketing talent on the island when they visit the under 16 tournament at Takitumu School.

The tournament will start at 10am and the Northern Knights will be at the grounds around 2pm for keen fans wanting an autograph from the players.

On Wednesday and Thursday the players will be in skills training sessions ahead of their one off match against the Cook Islands on Friday at 2.30pm to be staged at the Turangi Oval next to the Apii Te Uki Ou School.

Entry is free and all cricket lovers are invited to go along to the field and show their support for both teams.

The Northern Knights will continue their spring training on Saturday and on Sunday they will be hosted to a dinner at the Edgewater Resort and Spa with local cricketers and sponsors.

For more information on the Northern Knights or how you can be involved with their visit to Rarotonga contact Alister Stevic at Cook Islands Cricket on 20744 or 55740.

The Northern Knights cricket team from New Zealand received a warm island greeting on Monday afternoon including a warrior turou (welcome), Cook Islands drumming and an ei and kiss by Miss Cook Islands Engara Gosselin.

The Northern Knights are New Zealands major first class cricketing team and they are on the island for a 9-day spring training camp.

Their visit will also include a historical cricket match against the Telecom Cook Islands national squad on Friday.

Sun tanning will be the last thing on the minds of the visiting players as they have a full on programme of skills training as well as supporting local cricket competitions.

Today the team will check out the youth cricketing talent on the island when they visit the under 16 tournament at Takitumu School.

The tournament will start at 10am and the Northern Knights will be at the grounds around 2pm for keen fans wanting an autograph from the players.

On Wednesday and Thursday the players will be in skills training sessions ahead of their one off match against the Cook Islands on Friday at 2.30pm to be staged at the Turangi Oval next to the Apii Te Uki Ou School.

Entry is free and all cricket lovers are invited to go along to the field and show their support for both teams.

The Northern Knights will continue their spring training on Saturday and on Sunday they will be hosted to a dinner at the Edgewater Resort and Spa with local cricketers and sponsors.

For more information on the Northern Knights or how you can be involved with their visit to Rarotonga contact Alister Stevic at Cook Islands Cricket on 20744 or 55740.