Associate Nations Under-19 World Cup Squads

Namibia, Bermuda, Malaysia, Ireland, Papua New Guinea and Nepal have announced their final 15 man squads for the ICC Under-19 World Cup to be held in Malaysia starting on February 17.

Nepal: Paras Khadka (C), Gyanendra Malla, Mahesh Chhetri, Raj Shrestha, Amrit Bhatterai, Abhaya Rana, Akash Gupta, Sagar Khadka, Antim Thapa, Rom Shrestha, Chandra Sawad, Rahul Kumar, Anil Mandal, Pushpa Thapa, Subash Pradhan.

All rounder Paras Khadka, outstanding batsman Gyanendra Malla, wicketkeeper/batsman Mahesh Chhetri, medium pacer Amrit Bhatterai and middle order bat Akash Gupta have already represented the national senior side and will be expected to play a key role. The squad contains 10 players aged 17 or under including promising 14 year old all-rounder Sagar Khadka and 15 year old spinner Rahul Kumar.

Key Players

1. Paras Khadka (RAMF/RHB) : Already vastly experienced at international level, this opening bowler and hard hitting batsman has the ability to turn a game.

2. Gyanendra Malla (RHB) : A consistent run scorer in previous under-19 tournaments and an established national player.

3. Sagar Khadka (RAM/RHB) : An all-rounder good enough to be selected for the national under-19 side at just 14 years of age. An exciting talent.

4. Raj Shrestha (LAM/LHB) : A useful batsman and improving left arm medium pacer.

5. Amrit Bhatterai (LAMF) : Will be expected to get some early breakthroughs with his left arm medium fast deliveries.

6. Antim Thapa (RHB) : A 16 year old batsman who showed promise at the recent ACC under-15 Cup elite division.

Papua New Guinea : Colin Amini (C), Arua Dikana, Tony Ura, Charles Amini jr, Heni Siaka, Willie Gavera, Alfred Amini, John Reva, Jacob Mado, Tanti Heni, Jonathon Diho, Joel Tom, Jason Kila, Loa Nou, Archie Vala

Papua New Guinea go into the tournament as underdogs but this side should not be underestimated. Their strength is in their bowling. Willie Gavera, Loa Nou and Jacob Mado bowl with good pace and were selected for specialist coaching at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in 2007. Joel Tom is another medium pacer who should test opposition batsmen. Captain Colin Amini is a highly rated off spinner who is working on a doosra and Charles Amini jr is a tremendously exciting leg break bowler. The batting may be slightly fragile although Tony Ura is a wonderful prospect. The rest of the PNG batting line up must give Ura good support if they are to be competitive.

Key Players

1. Loa Nou (RAFM) : A brisk opening bowler who has already claimed 12 wickets at 12.08 for PNG at senior level.

2. Jacob Mado : (LAFM) : Was East-Asia Pacific’s leading bowler at the recent Australian Country Championships with eight wickets at 20.87.

3. Willie Gavera : (RAFM) : Another promising fast bowler who was selected for the East-Asia Pacific emerging players squad at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence.

4. Tony Ura (RHB) : A lot of responsibility rests with this promising Port Moresby batsman.

5. Arua Dikana (WK/LHB) : A determined middle order batsman and wicketkeeper.

6. Heni Siaka (RHB/RAM) : 18 year old opening batsman and occasional medium pacer. Could be a surprise packet.

Namibia : Dawid Botha (C), Gert Jan Coetzee, Raymond van Schoor, Bernard Scholtz, Pikky ya France, Martin van Niekerk, Ashley van Rooi, LP van der Westhuizen, Morne Engelbrecht, Sean Silver, Keady Strauss, Ewaid Steenkamp, Tiaan Louw, Elandre Oosthuizen, Claude Bouwer.

This is a tremendously experienced squad with seven players who have featured in the national senior side. The batting is very strong with Sean Silver, LP van der Westhuizen, Raymond van Schoor and Dawid Botha all outstanding prospects. Morne Engelbrecht, Martin van Niekerk, Gert Jan Coetzee, Elandre Oosthuizen and Ashley van Rooi are capable medium pacers. This team could make it to the next round if it plays to it’s potential.

Key Players

1. Sean Silver (RHB) : An opening batsman who dominated the African qualifiers scoring 311 runs at 103.66. Made an impressive 43 in his first class debut against North West.

2. Raymond van Schoor (RHB) : Silver’s opening partner, van Schoor scored 226 runs at 56.50 at the African qualifiers and has played three first class matches.

3. Dawid Botha (RHB) : The most experienced member of the squad with 10 first class matches and a first class century already on his resume.

4. LP van der Westhuizen (SLAO/LHB) : A genuine all-rounder who bowls tidy left arm orthodox and bats in the top order.

5. Morne Engelbrecht (RAFM/RHB) : A deceptively quick opening bowler and handy lower order batsman.

6. Elandre Oosthuizen (LAMF) : A left arm medium pacer who collected 11 wickets at 11.88 at the African qualifiers.

Bermuda: Rodney Trott, Malachi Jones, Machai Campbell, Greg Maybury, Kyle Hodsoll, Chris Douglas, Jordan DeSilva, Kevon Fubler, Tre Govia, Terryn Fray, Dennico Hollis, McLaren Smith, Tamauri Tucker, Regino Smith, Pierre Smith.

Bermuda surprised many, particularly the Canadians, by qualifying for this event ahead of their more fancied rivals. The Bermudian cricket establishment will be hoping that a handful of these youngsters show the kind of form that might make them candidates to take over from an aging senior list badly in need of rejuvenation. Sadly, the talented Stefan Kelly has chosen to concentrate on his studies and has pulled out of the squad in the last couple of days. His place has been taken by Machai Campbell.

Key Players

1. Malachi Jones (RAMF/RHB) : The youngster who made a big impression at the 2007 World Cup will be relied upon to take wickets and score runs.

2. Terryn Fray (RHB) : A 16 year old opening batsman who scored 158 runs at 39.50 at the Americas qualifiers.

3. Rodney Trott (RAOB/RHB) : Quickly establishing himself as a regular member of the national senior side. A high quality all-rounder.

4. Tamauri Tucker (RAOB) : Took 10 wickets at 6.90 at the Americas qualifiers.

5. Kyle Hodsoll (RHB/RAM) : Handy all-rounder who has represented Bermuda at senior level.

6. Greg Maybury (LHB/RAM) : 14 year old all-rounder who shows tremendous promise.

Ireland: Greg Thompson (C), James Hall, Theo Lawson, Chris Dougherty, Andrew Balbirnie, Shane Getkate, Andrew Britton, Richard Keaveney, Ben Ackland, Gavin McKenna, Graham McDonnell, Stuart Poynter, James Shannon, Paul Stirling.

Ireland have been producing outstanding under-19 teams for a while now and this one is possibly their best ever. The squad is well balanced and contains a number of players who will press for senior honours in the next 12 to 18 months. Like Namibia, Ireland will fancy their chances of moving through to the next round.

Key Players

1. James Hall (RHB/RAOB) : An outstanding all-rounder who is set to make a career as a professional county cricketer.

2. Chris Dougherty (RHB) : A prolific scorer for Ireland at under-19 level with two hundreds to his name in regional tournaments.

3. Paul Stirling (RHB) : Another consistent run maker for Ireland at this level with a high score of 118 against Denmark.

4. Greg Thompson (RALB/RHB) : A talented leg break bowler who will also be expected to make runs in the middle to lower order.

5. Ben Ackland (RHB) : Promising batsman who has spent time at Northamptonshire.

6. Richard Keaveney (RAFM) : A lively fast bowler who took seven wickets at 6.42 at the European qualifiers.

Malaysia : Ahmed Faiz (C), Faris Almas Lee, Norwira Zazmie, Aminuddin Ramly, Shafiq Sharif, Suharril Fetri, Kasman Kaderi, Sarath Ananthasivam, Sharul Nizam, Mohammad Miran, Faizal Abu Hasan, Shahid Ali Khan, Nik Azril Arifin, Fauzi Arifin, Saravana Mohan.

Malaysia were controversially given automatic entry into this tournament by virtue of being the host nation. Critics claim that there are better teams in the world who deserve to be playing in the tournament on merit and they may have a point. Malaysia’s results in the last 12 months against Sri Lanka, England, Australia and in the Asian Qualifier have been disappointing. Rarely has the team broken the 200 run barrier or been able to restrict their opponents to a manageable score. Still, Cricket Malaysia should be congratulated for their development program which is reaching out to a new generation of players throughout the country. A competitive performance will do wonders for these young prospects.

Key Players

1. Ahmed Faiz (RHB) : The captain has played some plucky innings in the last 12 months, the highlight being a brave 60 against Australia under-19’s.

2. Sharul Nizam (SLAO) : A tidy left arm spinner who took 13 wickets at 7.46 in the Asian qualifiers.

3. Aminuddin Ramly (RHB/RAM) : A highly talented batsman and useful medium pace bowler.

4. Suharril Fetri (RAOB/RHB) : A useful spin bowler and handy batsman who scored an excellent unbeaten 52 against Sri Lanka under-19’s in a recent series.

5. Faris Almas Lee (RHB) : A decorated junior player who needs to step up for this tournament.

6. Kasman Kaderi (LAM) : A probing left arm medium pacer.

Amazingly, there are eight players selected for this tournament that are 15 years or under. Perhaps it is a sign of a lack of depth within the respective squads or alternatively, these players could have incredible potential.

The players are:

Kevon Fubler 15, Bermuda

Greg Maybury 14, Bermuda

Tre Govia 15, Bermuda

Sagar Khadka 14, Nepal

Rahul Kumar 15, Nepal

Ahsan Baig 15, Pakistan

Mohammad Aamer 15, Pakistan

Charles Amini jr 15, Papua New Guinea