England U-19s to host India for 2 youth Tests and 5 youth ODIs

India U19s will travel to England this summer for 2 four-day games and a 5-match Royal London youth ODI series. The limited overs version will be an ideal preparation for the upcoming U19 World Cup scheduled in early 2018 in New Zealand. The England squad will be lead by Max Holden and Harry Brook in the four-day games and one-day games respectively.

Holden is retained as captain following his decent performances in the second division of County Championship for Northamptonshire. He also led the side during tours of India and Sri Lanka earlier in the year. Brook will lead the one-day side as Holden is not included for the limited overs series because the focus is on playing cricketers in the U19 ODI who are likely to travel to New Zealand next year.

Harry Brook is a promising lad from Yorkshire, a regular in the 2nd XI with a handful of first-class games under his belt. He is one of the seven players – Henry Brook, Liam Banks, Liam Patterson-White, Matt Potts, Will Jacks and Oli Robinson – to be included in both squads.

“With the ICC World Cup in New Zealand early next year, it made sense only to consider players eligible for that when we were choosing our squad for the Royal London One-Day Series. But that series remains very important in its own right, and there should be some excellent Under-19s cricket for players and spectators to enjoy this summer,” said Andy Hurry, the head coach of the Young Lions programme.

Hurry was proud of the talent that is emerging out of England. He mentioned that the boys learned a lot during the tour of India and is looking forward to hosting them during the summer.

“We had an excellent tour of India earlier this year, when the lads involved learned so much both in red-ball and white-ball cricket.

“Facing the Indians in a return series this summer provides an excellent opportunity to build on that, and to face international opposition in more familiar home conditions.

“It’s going to be fascinating to see our most talented young cricketers put in that position. It’s worth noting that we didn’t consider four eligible players for selection as they are likely to be in contention to play first-team cricket for their counties – Sam Curran, Ollie Pope, Matt Fisher and Delray Rawlins – not to take anything away from the guys who have been selected, but to underline the amount of young talent we have in the domestic game”

Hamidullah Qadri, who had an impressive debut in the County Championship last week, is a part of the One-Day squad for the first time. He is only 16 and possibly will become the first player from Afghan origin to play for the England U-19 side.

England and India will play their warm-up games in Loughborough before the first ‘Test’ begins on 23 July at Chesterfield. The second game will be played from July 31 at Worcester. The Royal London ODI series is scheduled to begin on August 7 at Cardiff.

For two four-day matches against India: 

Max Holden (Middlesex, capt), Liam Banks (Warwickshire), George Bartlett (Somerset), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Henry Brookes (Warwickshire), Ben Green (Somerset), Will Jacks (Surrey), George Panayi (Warwickshire), Ryan Patel (Surrey), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), Matt Potts (Durham), Oli Robinson (Kent, wk), Harry Swindells (Leicestershire, wk), Josh Tongue (Worcestershire), Amar Virdi (Surrey).

For five-match Royal London One-Day Series against India:

 Harry Brook (Yorkshire, capt), Liam Banks (Warwickshire), Tom Banton (Somerset, wk), Henry Brookes (Warwickshire), Adam Finch (Worcestershire), Alfie Gleadall (Derbyshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Tom Lammonby (Somerset), Felix Organ (Hampshire), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), Jack Plom (Essex), Matt Potts (Durham), Hamidullah Qadri (Derbyshire), Oli Robinson (Kent, wk), Liam Trevaskis (Durham).

For Invitational XI to play India, Loughborough:

Adam Finch (Worcestershire), Alfie Gleadall (Derbyshire), Feroze Khushi (Essex), Tom Lammonby (Somerset, wk), Prem Sisodiya (Glamorgan), Fin Trenouth (Somerset, wk), Liam Trevaskis (Durham), Harisson Ward (Sussex).