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THE
eyes of the cricketing world will be firmly focussed on
Bangladesh for the next 25 days as the coming generation of
the game's potential great go on to charm the ICC Under-19
Cricket World Cup 2004.
Although it took a decade for the ICC to hold the second
edition of the youth extravaganza following the inaugural
World Cup in Australia in 1988, its importance was never
questioned. Now, the Under-19 World Cup has become the
yardstick to judge the calibre of young cricketers across
continents.
If the first championship gave us world-beaters like Brian
Lara, Chris Cairns and Inzamamul Haq, the '98 Cup in South
Africa unveiled Indian spin sensation Harbhajan Singh. The
2000 edition was held in Sri Lanka and our own Mohammad
Ashraful and Mashrafee-bin-Mortuza shot into prominence.
Australia's Michael Clarke showed enough to suggest that he
was heading for a long international career when New Zealand
hosted the fourth U/19 World Cup in 2002.
The trophy of this tournament is a sterling silver and silver
gilt creation called 'Tazza' weighing approximately 2.5 Kg. 'Tazza'
consists of a main spun bowl mounted onto a silver column
chased cricket bail and stump detail.
While the logo of the tournament represents the event values
of youth and movement, denoting with pace and energy. It also
closely depicts the number 19 within the logo.
The event is expected to benefit Bangladesh's cricket
massively in the long run. Five new international standard
venues have been built or rebuilt in Chittagong, Rajshahi,
Khulna, Bogra and Narayanganj with the World Cup in mind and
the facilities will boost the domestic cricket structure
immensely.
However, above anything else, this U/19 World Cup needs a
strong showing by the home team who already have their work
cut out for qualifying from a group that comprises
heavyweights like India and New Zealand. That's where the
country's attention will be focused and that's where heroics
will actually count.
Enthusiasm all over
The cream of youth cricket assembled in Bangladesh to find out
who will be the best. And anybody who visited the otherwise
tranquil Hotel Purbani or Hotel Isa Khan on Monday would be
pleasantly surprised by the amount of enthusiasm, energy and
excitement generated by the players and officials of the 16
participating teams for the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.
"I am really excited seeing the festive mood here. The game is
not a popular one in my country but I like it anyway and love
to hit the ball," said Irish batsman Gary Wilson at the lobby
of Purbani in the afternoon.
While Ireland, an associate member of the world cricket body,
has come with a mission to have fun rather than having any
serious title ambitions, defending champions Australia mean
business as usual.
"Michael Clarke was the captain when we played the second
youth World Cup in Sri Lanka. He is now a regular in the
one-day line up. Our task here is not only to retain the title
but also find some more new faces for the senior team," smiled
Australian team manager Brian Freedman.
He also highlighted the fact that his team was both
multi-talented and multi-cultural as well.
"Interestingly we have a Sri Lankan, a Portuguese, a Greek and
Filipino-born player. Also our coach is a German and captain
English by birth. So there is a diverse cultural dimension in
the squad," Freedman quipped. The witty Aussie, however,
admitted that they missed the thing that symbolizes his
country apart from Kangaroos -- an Aboriginal.
Australian coach Bennett King, who also heads the renowned
Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy, said that his concern was
the subcontinent weather.
But Adam Crosthwaite, the lone player to have featured in the
in last youth World Cup in New Zealand, was determined to beat
that odd like the all-conquering senior team.
"I'm confident of retaining the trophy despite the fact that
it would not be suitable conditions like in New Zealand," said
the top-order batsman.
But Sri Lankan coach DS De Silva felt Dhaka was a home away
from home. He said that he had brought along some exciting
players.
"We are carrying at least six players who have the potential
to play at the highest level in future. We have undertaken an
extensive preparation to win the title for the first time,"
said Silva.
The English players on the other hand were quick to get a feel
of the Bangabandhu National Stadium, where the senior members
played recently.
They were overwhelmed by the size of the big bowl and were
impressed watching the dress rehearsal for the opening
ceremony. |
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