South Asian teams to compete at the Rangatahi Cricket Festival

Two South Asian teams are set to compete in the 2025 Youth Cricket Festival in Auckland, Auckland next week.

The Auckland South Asian U19 boys and girls sides will play as invitational teams against Aotearoa Māori Schools and Pasifika U19 teams, as the annual tournament celebrating cricket’s vibrant culture enters its third year.

As invitation sides, the South Asian teams won’t compete for the trophy – but will play the Pasifika and Māori teams while immersing themselves in the festival’s rich cultural experience.

Auckland U19 Women’s representative, Simi Bajaj said she was thrilled to be part of the experience.

“Having the opportunity to be a part of the South Asian team excites me as it gives us a chance to embrace our culture through doing something we all love”, said Bajaj.

“This being the first South Asian girls team makes it even more special.

“I can’t wait to connect with my new teammates and develop some camaraderie out on the field.

“Hopefully, we can inspire more boys and girls of South Asian heritage to pick up the sport.”

Simi Bajaj celebrates a wicket for Auckland U19 – NZC

The South Asian teams will have their work cut out, facing the already established and developing Māori and Pasifika sides.

Established in 2017, the Māori Secondary Schoolboy and Schoolgirl sides are open to secondary school cricketers of Māori whakapapa to represent their whānau, hāpu, iwi and kura.

Several exciting cricketers have come through the Māori programmes, including domestic players Curtis Heaphy (Central Districts), Jamal Todd (Otago), Rhys Mariu (Canterbury), Anika Todd (Auckland), Harriett Cuttance (Otago) and Ocean Bartlett (Central Districts).

All-rounder Solomon Nash made his premier debut this season for Parnell and shapes up as a key player for the Pasifika U19 Boys.

Sonnia Vaia, with experience at two Rangatahi Cricket Festivals and as a member of the Cook Islands senior women’s team, will play a prominent role for the Pasifika U19 Girls.

Into its third season, the Rangatahi Cricket Festival has proven a popular experience for players looking to connect with their culture as well as compete at a higher level.

Indian born Auckland-based BLACKCAPS spinner Ajaz Patel spoke highly of the initiative.

“The Rangatahi Cricket Festival is a great initiative to introduce players to more competitive cricket, while also embracing their cultural heritage,” said Patel.

“It’s been awesome to see more players from different cultures and backgrounds emerging onto our professional cricket scene in recent times.

“I have no doubt a tournament like this will promote the next generation of stars.

“As a proud Indian-New Zealander, I’ll be watching the South Asian side with interest and wish them all the best.”

Ajaz Patel will present the Auckland South Asian U19 teams with their jerseys – @photosportnz

The Rangatahi Cricket Festival gets underway on Wednesday 29^th January at Cornwall Park (Cornwall Cricket Club) and Melville Park.

Matches will be live scored on PlayHQ.

SQUADS:

New Zealand Māori Schoolboys:

• Arana Cronin-Stone (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa)
• Luis Kerrigan (Ngai Tahu)
• Samuel Payne (Ngāti Kahungunu to Wairarapa)
• Bryn Thurlow (Taiwan)
• Riley Parkinson (Pushes/Pulls)
• Potiki Hamilton-Morrison (Ngāti Kahungunu to Wairoa, Ngā Rauru, Kai Tahu)
• Ryan Metcalfe (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mahanga)
• Aidan Simpkins (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao)
• Adam Wood (Ngai Tahu)
• Jay Benefield (The Guns)
• Jack Rangiwahia (Ngāti Ruanui Taranaki)

Keegan Russell (Coach), Damian Stone (Manager).

New Zealand Māori School Girls

• Georgina McEwan (Up in the Sky)
• Olivia Ross (Taranaki)
• Zamera Ikiua (Puhis)
• Jessica Benge (Te Ati Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Maniapoto)
• Aria Kearney (Ngāti Raukawa)
• Amelia Newell (Te Ati Awa)
• Greta Abbott (Ngāti Maniapoto)
• Raisha Jeory-Reynolds (Ngāti Porou)
• Mollie Drumm (Ngāti Porou)
• Emma Parker (Pushes)
• Madison Brown (Ngāti Maru)
• Aria Cameron (New / Te Arawa)

Justine Dunce (Coach), Shelley Fruin (Manager).

Auckland South Asian U19 Boys:

1. Aaqib Aadil Sharif (Indian)
2. Vir Chib (Indian)
3. Arshpreet Kandola (Indian)
4. Manav Kumar (Indian)
5. Viraj Mody (Indian)
6. Sher Safi (Afghani)
7. Malindu Samarasingha (Sri Lankan)
8. Selwin Sanjay (Indian)
9. Yash Sing (Indian)
10. Arya Suddala (Indian)
11. Aaron Virdi (Indian)
12. Pahul Virk (Indian)

Nikheil Bhana (Coach),Tauseef Satti (Assistant Coach).

Auckland South Asian U19 Girls:

• Simi Bajaj (Indian)
• Nidhi Bhosale (Indian)
• Nitya Choudhary (Indian)
• Anushriya Ganti (Indian)
• Japman Kaur Jawanda (Indian)
• Nabeeha Kamran (Pakistani)
• Aaliyah Patel (Indian)
• Aanya Patel (Indian)
• Zaara Sain (South African Indian)
• Zarah Samadi (Afghani)
• The word Sikri (Indian)
• Tushika Singh (Indian)

James Newman (Coach), Eve Meachen (Assistant Coach).

Pacific U19 Boys:

• Atelea Afeaki
• Malcolm Barrow
• Kaden Cossil
• Liam Denny
• Cohen Faitaua
• Arthur Gabriel
• Luke Harrison
• Oscar Holt
• Kian Krause
• Joshua McNaughton
• Nathan McNaughton
• Noah Mead
• Solomon Nash
• Taine Morgan
• Jett Nash
• Austin Sood

Hussain Hanif (Coach), Will Meredith (Coaching Assistant).

Pasifika U19 Girls:

• Luella Atimalala-Bracey
• Roma Bowers-Fleming
• Ashiya Chand
• Ocean Dawber
• Heitonga Fakatava
• Siupeli Fakatava
• Ofa Faoa
• Mia Hedge
• Lily Lamb
• Gisele Naidu
• Summer Taruia
• Krysal Tomafua
• Sonnia Vaia
• Esther Williams
• Neena Woollaston

Tony Naidu (Coach), Rosie Williams (Coaching Assistant/Manager).

DRAW: