Kiwis, Aussies to square off for ANZAC matchup

By Vaelei Von Dincklage 22 August 2020, 8:00AM

The Samoa International Cricket Association, in collaboration with the New Zealand and Australian expatriate communities in Samoa, will once again play host to an annual A.N.Z.A.C day cricket match.

The game between Australia and New Zealand will continue a longstanding and friendly traditional rivalry. 

The New Zealand team will be positioning themselves to pull off an upset to claim the trophy from the defending champions, Australia.

According to the New Zealand captain Sanjay Chandran, he says that the Australian took away their prized A.N.Z.A.C. cricket shield, but they are aiming to return it to its rightful place the New Zealand High Commissioner’s office.

"Over the years the Australians have tried to take from us and claim as their own the likes of the Pavlova, the Lamington, Phar Lap, Russell Crowe, Crowded House, Lorde, and even the flag (we got the design first and they copied us according to Winston)," Captain Chandran said jokingly. 

However, the Australian captain, Justin Kelly, says that they look at quality, not quantity.

"Australia looks at quality rather than quantity to make the team-up. We are a bigger, faster, stronger, and better-looking team than the team from the Australian Eastern Islands, it's a safe bet. Australia will win back to back championships and will do it convincingly," he said.

"Cricket is an all-inclusive sport within the commonwealth countries, which includes Samoa. Anyone can play from any age group and it's essentially non-contact. which makes for an enjoyable day with everyone involved," he added.

Kelly's only hope is for New Zealand to play fair and not use ringers (or skilled substitutes) as he alleges the team have done before. 

The two countries are set to clash on the 11th September at the Tuanaimato cricket fields.

Australia and New Zealand are familiar foes in cricket, and the A.N.Z.A.C. match in Samoa has been played since 2001.








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Cricket
By Vaelei Von Dincklage 22 August 2020, 8:00AM

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