New Zealand squad for 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup

New Zealand Cricket today announced the squad competing in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in February.

National age group selectors Kaushik Patel (convenor), Lance Cairns, Dipak Patel and John Wright have named the following squad:

Corey Anderson (Canterbury),
Nicholas Beard (Otago),
Harry Boam (Wellington),
Trent Boult (Northern Districts),
Michael Bracewell (Otago),
Tamati Clarke (Northern Districts),
Fraser Colson (Wellington),
Michael Guptill-Bunce (Auckland),
Greg Morgan (Auckland),
Jeet Raval (Auckland),
Hamish Rutherford (Otago),
Tim Southee (Northern Districts),
Anurag Verma (Northern Districts),
Kane Williamson (Northern Districts),
George Worker (Central Districts).

“The competition gives our emerging players the opportunity to test their skills in a tournament environment against world’s best,” said coach Dipak Patel.

“It is a stepping stone for potential future BLACKCAPS, giving players a chance early in their careers to experience a high level of tournament play.

“The squad we are taking includes five players with experience in first-class and provincial cricket, and a number who impressed at the recent National Under-19 championship.”

The squad assembles on Thursday 31 January before attending a camp in Queensland, moving on to Malaysia on Sunday 10 February. New Zealand will play Malaysia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan in the first round.