Cook Islands men’s cricket team has made a winning start to the Tri Series in Sano, Japan, with a three-wicket victory over Thailand on Tuesday.

The national side will play seven matches in the T20 series, which includes Japan and Thailand, at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

In its opening match, Cook Islands took on Thailand, who won the toss and elected to bat first.

The opposition scored 124 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs. Cook Islands bowler Hayden Dickson delivered an impressive spell, taking two wickets for 22 runs in his four overs. Aue Parima also claimed two wickets, conceding 28 runs in his two overs, while Jared Tutty, Milton Kavana and Oscar Taylor each took one wicket.

In reply, openers Thomas Parima and Dickson made a strong start, forging a solid 61-run partnership before Parima was dismissed in the 7.3 over. He had smashed a match-high 47 runs off 34 balls.

Aue Parima’s 18 runs off 18 balls, along with Dickson’s 14 and skipper Ma’ara Ave’s 13 runs from 14 balls, helped the Cook Islands achieve the target in 18.5 overs with three wickets remaining.

Commenting on his match winning hit, Thomas Parima said: “I think it’s more attitude hitting the ball for the team and just trusting yourself, it was a bit tricky out there yesterday (Tuesday). It’s pretty much a see ball hit ball.”

Captain Ave said the match wasn’t easy, especially because the pitch “came with its challenges”.

“But I think on the most part we handled it pretty well. I think our bowling effort was really good and suited the conditions and then with the bat the boys at the top did an awesome job to get us off to a good start and then we managed to sneak in there at the end,” Ave added.

Cook Islands will play Thailand again this morning before facing Japan this afternoon. In the final round-robin match of the series, the national side will play Japan on Friday (Cook Islands time) before the final on Saturday. Cook Islands will also play a two-match series against Japan on May 13 and 14 (Japan time)

Ave said: “I think the preparation’s been pretty good. We’ve had a good couple months of training with the boys in New Zealand and then obviously the boys from Raro have come over recently and we had to bring the whole team together.”
“Japan is a pretty cool place to come play cricket so I think all the boys are excited about that and managed to get a win on the first time which was awesome.”

Ave also said that for the players, it was always special to represent the Cook Islands.

“I think whenever everyone comes together, it’s a real sense of family and I think we love playing with each other. We’ve got a good group of support staff and players kind of forming and it’s good just to see that momentum to continue to grow so hopefully we can keep that going throughout this tournament and then keep building and getting youngsters into the game.”

With one match secured and six more remaining, team manager Rahul Patil said, “We’re hoping to do 7-0 this time.”

“But we’ll have to wait and watch how that pans out. Keep watching and keep supporting us and we love all the support we’re getting from back home.”