The Under 19 structure feeding national cricket teams - Opinion
There is no denying the fact that some of the best cricketers that have ever embraced the field have been products of the Under 19 set up. Success in the Under 19 Cricket World Cup is almost bound to guarantee a place in the national side, which would then
become the ultimate test of a player’s nerves and ability. If he succeeds, then his name in cricketing folklore will be etched forever. If he falters in his first few games for the country, then it may not be entirely his fault.
Cricket fans the world over have benefited from an array of players who have succeeded more often than failed. One can think of the astute Michael Atherton of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Jayasuriya-c2567, both of whom came into the limelight when the inaugural
edition of the tournament took place in 1988. Players such as Inzamam ul Haq and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Charles-Lara-c48471, which were unknown names prior to this tournament, came to the fore after performing exceptionally well. Then as years went by, one had to settle over the fact that
the Under 19 World Cup was the ideal platform for the emergence of great players and the starting point for them to make their mark, internationally. It is possible that the very fact of having a set of eleven players play against the very best eleven of other
countries have helped in preparing young cricketers for tackling the realities at the top level. Yet what many perceive as a healthy exercise and a dress rehearsal for the big stage is open to all sorts of interpretations.
Firstly it is acknowledged that Under 19 cricketers are known to play well against cricketers their same age which limits the experience that they encounter and the scope in which they play in. For example, an 18-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221 was almost bound to
decimate the bowling of someone his own age, before coming into the international arena. Had he been exposed to someone who had more experience, such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292, Gayle’s fortunes could have been very different.
This argument thus, brings into perspective the role that county cricket has played with regard to the emergence of new players. County cricket is thought by many to help a player atone his game with the pressing realities of international cricket, by facing
some of the best players in the world. For example, a school boy who graduates and becomes a part of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flintoff-c44360 and raise his standard as compared to someone who gnaws his way into the
internationals set up after playing against under 19 rookies.
The logic of that argument seems understandable in light of the fact that many young cricketers could play alongside some of the greats of the game. Yet, the trend of Under 19 tournaments producing fantastic cricketers, certainly considers the limitations
of that assertion. Players such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 and Hammad Azam have all become consistent performers for their respective nations and are products of the Under 19 set up.
With the 2012 Under 19 World Cup looming large in September, it is expected that the trend of quality players coming into the international arena would continue. It is possible that teams which have been struggling of late, such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758,
would benefit from young faces that act as exciting prospects. Whether or not they would be able to deliver is something that only time would tell.
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