LASTING the duration of the 50 overs game is a key element the Fiji side is working on ahead of the International Cricket Council Division Three World Cricket League in Australia.
The Fiji team captained by Seci Tuiwai has been playing the 50 overs version of the one day fixture against the Army side for the past three weeks.
In Fiji the one day club competition is played over 30 overs. This is due to the lack of suitable playing surfaces.
Fiji is pooled in Group A of the ICC competition alongside Papua New Guinea, Italy and Argentina.
Group B includes Hong Kong, Uganda, Cayman Islands and Tanzania.
Fiji team manager Seci Sekinini senior said the national players have been working on their playing strategy.
Sekinini said they hope to have a good campaign during the ICC Division Three League.
"We have been strengthening our batting during the training sessions," Sekinini said.
"In Fiji we are used to the 30 overs game. But the ICC tournament will be a 50 over encounter. It is a different game. We will have to bat longer. Our players are prone to rush things. Sometimes the teams don't even last the full duration of the club games. And that's 30 overs. So we have a lot to work on.
The bowlers are also working on their techniques. They are bowling more dot balls at practise. I don't believe our fielding will be a problem. All the players will need to put in their best effort."
The ICC Division Three League starts on May 27.
The two top teams from this competition will be promoted to the ICC Division Two tier. The two teams will face United Arad Emirates, Namibia, Denmark and Oman in the Division Two playoffs in November.
The top four teams from this competition will then head to the ICC World Cup qualifier in 2009.
The ICC World Cup qualifier will be held in the United Arab Emirates. This will include Kenya, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Bermuda, Netherlands and the four qualifiers from Division Two.
The top six countries from this qualifier will automatically gain a spot to play at the 2011 ICC World Cup. Then national team will head off to Australia on Sunday for three warm up matches.
Fiji Team: Seci Tuiwai (Captain), Iniasi Cakacaka (V/Capt), Josefa Rika, Colin Rika, Iliesa Navatu, Taione Batina, Sekove Ravoka, Inoke Lesuma, Dr Rajeev Patel, Samu Draunivudi, Sakaraia Lomani, Vueta Vuiyasawa, Iliesa Waqatuinayau, Filimoni Vuli.
