Tournament Preview

The 2006 European Under 19 Championships gets under way in Belfast this Tuesday, and will for the first time be played under a new 2 day format. 102 overs will be played on each day, and a new points system has been unveiled. Why then, the change away from the usual 50 over format? ECC Development manager Richard Holdsworth explains the reasoning behind the change.

"This is to encourage more skills and tactical awareness in the longer form of the game. This will prepare players better for the ICC Intercontinental cup 4-day matches, where hopefully many of the players on view will get the chance to participate in the future."

Ireland on home soil will be difficult to beat. Four of the side played in the recent Under 19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, and captain Greg Thompson was a member of the senior Irish side which won the Intercontinental cup last year. James Hall captained the Under 17s to victory in the Netherlands last week, and the all rounder has been in prolific form this season with the bat. Ben Ackland took a hat trick in that competition, and given the recent dry weather, the spin department will play a major role.

With one on the World Cup qualification programme next year, Ireland have basically selected in effect an Under 18 side, and indeed two of the side, Paul Stirling and Graham Mc Donnell, are competing in this season's Under 15 tournament.

Denmark Under 19s were involved in a recent warm up game against their Under 23 side in preparation for this tournament. In fact, no fewer than five of their squad took part in last week's tournament in Dublin. Zishan Shah scored a magnificent century in their narrow defeat to Scotland, and finished with a tournament average of 120.00, although he picked up an injury which may restrict his participation.

Skipper Bilal Khan is a fine all rounder, whose off spin bowling could well be a potent force. The squad contains a number of all rounders, while Amarjot Berry will be the first choice wicket keeper. A lot will be expected too of Shiraz Uddin, who finished 4th in the leading list of wicket takers in Dublin.

The Netherlands squad will be captained by Thomas Heggelman, and looks to be a very well balanced one. They look to have their assembled their strongest squad at this level for a number of years, and harbour real ambitions for Under 19 World Cup qualification.

They have like the Irish, a number of Under 17 players in their ranks, with Alexei Kervezee being their jewel in the crown. He has already represented them at Senior level and played against Sri Lanka in the recent One Day International Series. Wicket keeper Steven De Bruin and Chris Davey are both in good form, and scored half centuries in the recent Under 17 series.

Opening bowler Olivier Lodder is also a very capable performer, and should find the grass wickets to his liking. The squad is coached by Peter Borren, while Jos Heggelman will be manager.

Scotland are the current holders of the Trophy, having won it now on three occasions, the same as Ireland. They have selected a number of all rounders in their squad, and look to have a well balanced squad, with a number of options in all departments. They will be led by Ross Paxton, a highly rated left arm spinner-indeed the Scots have no fewer than 5 spinners in their ranks, and their talents may well come into play in the longer format.

However it is pace bowler Calum MacLeod who is perhaps the best known players in their side. The opening bowler has been on the books of English county side Warwickshire, and has been very impressive. The Scots have also gone for quite a number of Under 17s, with an eye no doubt on next year's qualification tournament. Scott Redhead and Aaron A'Lee shared the new ball in the Under 17 competition, and it will be interesting to see how they cope at the next level.

The batting looks to be well served, with Ryan Flannigan of the Kelso club in superb form domestically, having already recorded 3 centuries. Fraser Burnett and Scott Galloway are also capable of scoring heavily, while the all round talents of Scott Dalgleish could prove invaluable.

Scotland captain Craig Wright is one of two coaches, and both he and Andy Tennant will be keeping a close eye on the stars of the future.

It will be interesting to see how the teams fare with the longer form of the game. Innovative captaincy and patience will be required, and imaginative field placing and bowling rotation will come into play. On paper it looks like a very close tournament, with all the sides having the potential to emerge victorious.