***Official Under 19 World Cup Thread***
 

Fixtures
Squads

OK, so it might be a bit facetious me starting this thread, but still, it's only a bit over two weeks away.

Groups A and B will see one of the stronger sides miss out on qualifying - with Bangladesh's strength at U/19, and Australia's performance at the last WC creating a dogfight between themselves, the Windies and the South Africans. England have done themselves well with the draw, while one would expect India and Sri Lanka to qualify comfortably.

India look like the team to beat, while the rest of the subcontinent sides should be there and about. New Zealand have stayed off the radar, while there should be a few of the supposed "minnows" - read Nepal, especially - who cause a few suprises.

The practice matches on the three preceding days to the Opening Ceremony should provide the best form guide. Till then, in all truth, it's just guesswork.

Really looks like England have lucked out there with that draw. When do teams find out who they're playing in the practice matches?

NZ are sending one of their strongest sides in recent times I believe. A few players now have First class experience.

I think the teams themselves know. Just mustn't have been publicised.

Aus have Ind and Pak in their practice matches.

Are full strength teams being fielded for them?

And if you had to pick a winner (objectively), who do you reckon it would be?

I'd say that the teams would be putting full-strength sides out on the park. I'm sure that's the angle Australia will take - our previous matches have entailed much experimentation with line-ups, captains, etc.

India have won all the series that they've played so far in the past year, and would look like the favourites. Especially with the tournament being in the subcontinent - last time it was in Sri Lanka, three of the four semi-finalists were Ind, Pak and SL.

So you guys don't have a chance? Great confidence there

Where did I say we don't have a chance?

I ain't speaking any more on this thread. Just a recipe for trouble.

Haha, calm down Jackaroo. Just teasing. Backing you guys in all the way, just found it odd you didn't mention Australia above.

I think Piyush Chawla will turn out huge for India in this tournament. There are others like Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Tehlan, but I think Chawla will become the 2nd one-day spinner for India at some point in 2006.

well in the england team my friend, club & school mate John Simpson is in the team, very good wicket-keeper/batsman big things are expected from him from the lads at old trafford for sure.

Woah. Come on Burpey, I was just trying to find out who the favourites were, which Jack told me. Obviously Jack's going to go in believing that Australia can and will win, as will every country (apart from USA and the like).

He never said they didnt have a chance - he simply said that India would be the favourites...

Now look what you've done Burpey! Our best source of info on this subject is gone!

Meh, I won't be able to resist posting in here anyways :p

Just thought I'd do a bit of research on how Bob coped with not making the American side (I'm pretty sure he didn't - there's no Fardin there!).

Obviously not all that well...