Canterbury Cricket visit to Tonga

Craig Kerr with Tonga National Squad © ICC

I travelled to Tonga with the Canterbury Cricket/International Cricket Council partnership from May 19-24.

My focus of the visit was to assist the Tongan National Team in their preparation for the upcoming South Pacific Games in Samoa and the ICC Division 5 World Cup qualifier in Auckland later in the year.

A three-day camp was held with the extended squad at the Atele Indoor Stadium where the squad was put through several drills aimed at improving game awareness and understanding. This was my second visit to Tonga and it is pleasing to see the skills displayed by those within the National squad. Most have a very good grasp on the basics of the game, they are fit and athletic, however, the skill of understanding how the game is played needs work. These skills can only be learnt by playing together at a higher level on a more regular basis.

Tongan Cricket faces several administrative challenges. They are lacking in quality gear and equipment, as well as grounds for practice and games. These issues have been a common theme throughout the duration of the partnership, however, initiatives such as the donation of gear by the ICC and Canterbury clubs and schools, are starting to have a positive effect.

On a positive note, the game in Tonga is now unified, with all players playing under the banner of the Tongan Cricket Association.

Tongan Cricket can look forward to two major tournaments later this year. A top two finish at the tournament in Auckland would see Tonga travel to Jersey for the next stage in qualifying for the 2011 World Cup.