FIJI’S attempt to reach its first ever cricket World Cup has been threatened by the loss of the island nation’s star player.

National team player and Australian international Neil Maxwell has been ruled out of the World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Tanzania next month, where they will face Jersey and four others, with an injury.

Maxwell, who plays in New South Wales and has represented Australia A, tore his knee ligaments while training with his club in Australia and needs surgery. The news is a huge blow to the Fijian side who had been boosted by the availability of the batsman.

It is thought that Maxwell’s recovery may take as long as six months – which means that if the team do qualify next month, he would still be unlikely to play in the Division III tournament in Argentina in January, and possibly the World Cup qualifier in April.

However, Fiji coach Colin Siller will still be hoping his team – who go up against Jersey, Hong Kong Italy and Tanzania – will clinch one of the two top Division III qualifying spots.
Fiji has been a member of the International Cricket Council since 1965, but has never yet appeared in a World Cup.