CRICKET Fiji's Elite Pla-yer League will be at the halfway mark after this weekend's game between the Sigatoka Dunes and Suva Capitals at the Army Barracks ground in Suva.
The Capitals, playing on home turf, will need to bounce back from a disappointing batting performance last week in their loss to the Western Bulldogs.
The Capitals have plenty of batting strength in their line-up including skipper Joe Dabea, a long-time me-mber of the national squad, and two exciting prospects in Fiji Under-19 internationals Seru Tupou and Inoke Cama.
These three will lead the charge and bat with greater patience and application this week if the Capitals are to have any chance to beat a strong Dunes line-up.
The Capitals' batsmen will want to give their bowlers a total to work with, especially for quick bowlers like Tukana Tavo and Tasheed Tawheed.
Tawheed is quickly getting a reputation as the fastest bowler in Fiji and he could do some damage if given a competitive total to defend.
The Dunes enter the match on a high after an emphatic first round win over Western Bulldogs in which Lee Waqa left the Bulldogs batsmen shattered with a seven wicket haul. They'll be looking for more of the same and support from young paceman Vuli Tawatautau.
In the batting line-up, Fiji Blues opener Joji Bulabalavu will look to get the Dunes off to a flyer in his usual manner, while first game centurion David Kachor will be aiming for more runs to keep his tally ticking over.
The Dunes will be skippered by Fiji U19 captain Viliame Yabaki now that he has returned from a training stint in Australia.
It will be the first test of his captaincy skills at this level and will make for interesting watching.
It's a must win game for the Capitals if they are to stay in contention for the EPL title.
A win will see all teams level on one win each at the halfway mark of the competition.
