New Zealand Under 19 squad begins World Cup preparation

New Zealand’s leading Under 19 cricketers begin their preparation for next year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup with a series against a Sri Lanka development side in Christchurch starting this weekend.

The New Zealand U19 Selection will play three 50-over matches against the Sri Lanka Under 21 Academy – as well as a warm-up match against a Canterbury XI today.

Two different squads have been named to play in the four matches, with all players drawn from the 30-man preliminary squad named this week for the U19 CWC (see below).

Team manager Kevin Pulley said the series would serve as something of a trial for the squad, with most players getting at least two games over the series.

Pulley said the squads were at full strength except for three players who are playing in first-class matches – Corey Anderson, Harry Boam and Doug Bracewell.

The series schedule is:

Nov 20 - NZ U19 Selection vs a Canterbury XI, Garrick Park (warm up game)
Nov 21 - NZ U19 Selection vs a Sri Lankan U21 Academy side, the Willows
Nov 22 - NZ U19 Selection vs a Sri Lankan U21 Academy side, Burwood Park
Nov 24 - NZ U19 Selection vs a Sri Lankan U21 Academy side, Burwood Park


Preliminary squad for ICC U19 Cricket World Cup

The preliminary squad of 30 is named below. The final squad of 15 will be named by 15 December. The U19 CWC opens in Christchurch on 10 January 2010.

Corey Anderson (Canterbury)
Tom Blundell (Wellington)
Harry Boam (Wellington)
Doug Bracewell (Central Districts)
Michael Bracewell (Otago)
Craig Cachopa (Auckland)
Dane Cleaver (Central Districts)
Rory Darkins (Northern Districts)
Lachlan Ferguson (Auckland)
S’ven (Tipane) Friday (Wellington)
Shane Gadsdon (Northern Districts)
Chamika Gajanayaka (Wellington)
Brett Hampton (Northern Districts)
Matt Henry (Canterbury)
Jono Hickey (Northern Districts)
Owen Ivins (Northern Districts)
Timothy Johnston (Canterbury)
Tom Latham (Canterbury)
Matt McEwan (Canterbury)
Adam Milne (Central Districts)
James Neesham (Auckland)
Henry Nicholls (Canterbury)
Bevan Small (Central Districts)
Ben Smith (Central Districts)
Blair Soper (Otago)
Mattie Thomas (Northern Districts)
Logan Van Beek (Canterbury)
Theo Van Woerkom (Canterbury)
Ben Wheeler (Central Districts)
Harry Wright (Wellington)