Exciting to take on the best, says Boult
The 2018 edition of ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, comprising 16 teams, will kick off in New Zealand on January 13. Previous editions have thrown up several players who have gone on to represent their countries at the highest level with distinction.
Trent Boult and Tom Latham, key members of the current New Zealand side, are two such examples.
Boult, who played in the 2008 edition in Malaysia, said the tournament was the ideal platform to compete against the best in the world at the Under-19 level. “My U19 World Cup was in 2007-08 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia”, said the left-arm quick. “It was good fun. Obviously, we were pretty young at that time. It was very exciting, to go on my first overseas trip, and to take on the best of the world of that time.
“As a kid, you dream of representing your country,” he continued. “You want to play at the highest level. You want to play Test cricket, ODI cricket for your country. (The tournament) was a great stepping stone. It was exciting as a kid to be running in against the future stars of the world.”
Trent Boult - U19 World Cup 2018 Launch Event
India won the tournament, with its squad including current internationals Virat Kohli as the captain, Ravindra Jadeja and Manish Pandey. The New Zealand team was led by Kane Williamson, the current New Zealand skipper, and had the likes of Tim Southee and Corey Anderson, apart from Boult.
Boult added, “The Indian side was stacked with Jadeja, Kohli and a few others. The New Zealand side was a good side as well. It was nice to have that group of players who were involved in 2007-08 get into the Test side and trying to make a mark on the international stage.”
New Zealand lost to India in the semi-final by three wickets. “We lost to India, a good side, in the semi-finals and unluckily came fourth but now definitely I look back with fond memories,” recalled the left-armer.
Tom Latham - U19 World Cup 2018 Launch Event
Latham, who featured in the 2010 edition hosted by New Zealand, called it an unforgettable experience. “My U19 World Cup was in 2010, here in New Zealand. I guess that was a pretty special thing, being in your country, having the support of the New Zealanders behind us. As young fellas, it was a pretty unforgettable experience,” he said.
“I think to play against the best of the world at that level is very important,” Latham continued. “To see where you stand, and how your skills match against those guys from different countries. I think it’s a very important tournament and a great pathway for guys to go through.”
The New Zealand squad in 2010 had the experience of Anderson, along with Doug Bracewell, James Neesham and Tom Blundell.
“I guess if you look at our side, we had the likes of Corey, Doug Bracewell, Jimmy Neesham,” Latham stated. “We were quite a strong side. Australia had Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Marsh and those sort of guys. It’s great to see them transform to the top level and nice to see there is a pathway for U-19 guys.
“Obviously, playing at home, we had high hopes. We had a great game, a play-off for seventh and eighth, against England. We managed to come seventh,” he concluded.