Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Auckland’s first all-Māori cricket team took on the Cook Islands in three T20s at McLeans College in east Auckland over the weekend, as the visitors capped off their preparations for the ICC Pacific Qualifying tournament in Vanuatu.
The squad, named Tāmaki Makaurau Tāne, was captained by former Auckland First-Class representative Dusan Hakaraia (Ngā Puhi) and featured all 12 players with Maori heritage.
Auckland Māori prevailed in all three matches with games one and three producing some particularly compelling action considering the early September conditions – with Cook Islands captain and Central Districts contracted player Ma’ara Ave leading the way with fighting half-centuries while chasing.
The inaugural series attracted good support and coverage from within the cricket network and via the media.
