Samoan cricket putting down foundations

Samoan cricket enthusiasts are working to give cricket a solid base. Samoa Cricket Association official, Jim Dunlop, reports:

"Cricket has had a difficult time in most Pacific countries in recent years, caused by a great many factors.

For cricket in Samoa, the two most obvious problems have been the popularity of Kilikiti - an island adaptation of cricket and the shortage of playing wickets.

Kilikiti is a hilarious hit-the-ball-and-cheer game, which vaguely resembles cricket in that it has a pitch batsman, and some rules, but the game is more for a village participation with up to 50 players per team.

In recent years, the Samoa Cricket Association has held various competitions and tournaments, played to MCC rules. Players who have lived in Australia and New Zealand add knowledge and skill to these teams.

In 1999 the SCA decided to build their own fields on an 11 acre paddock, rented from the Government.

Eight months later, after spending around $185,000 a lot of voluntary work, and to the total bewilderment of the bystanders, our wickets are taking shape.

We have two large flat pieces, of sufficient area to provide four pitches. Two all-weather cricket wickets, donated to us by the ICC are in the process of being laid.

Trees have been planted, planning for boundary fences and extra drainage is being undertaken, and the inevitable 'emu' parade will be needed to remove the loose shores that make their way to the surface.

The grass cover is good, the eight teams are ready, all the experts have had their say, and we are looking forward to an opening day in May - that is theoretically anyway, the end of a very wet 'wet' season.

With the ground almost completed, we look forward to a long season of cricket."