Coach Iain Brunnschweiler is relishing the prospect of leading England Development Programme (EDP) Under-17s on their tour of Sri Lanka.
Having welcomed their sub-continental counterparts to these shores this summer, Brunnschweiler et al flew out for the return trip on Sunday.
They will tackle Sri Lanka in the same format, with the sides set to contest three one-day internationals and a three-day encounter.
Brunnschweiler admits 12 of his 16 players have a score to settle, too, having been involved in the team that lost the deciding one-day game in the final over this summer.
“We’ve got 12 of the lads who are on their second or third year in the England Development Programme,” he said.
“Those guys were part of the team that played in the reciprocal tour when we hosted Sri Lanka last summer.
“We have got a score to settle in terms of results in that they won the deciding one-day match in the final over. It was a fabulous experience last summer.
“We have got a very exciting young group of cricketers. It’s a nice blend of some exciting, top-order batsmen, a couple of spinners – one of whom is Brad Taylor who made his Hampshire debut last year as an Under-16 – and some pretty exciting seam bowlers.”
Also aiding the young guns is their preparation, with Brunnschweiler having had ample opportunity to put them through their paces.
“The boys have worked really hard this winter,” added the coach. “We started training camp back in October and have had monthly contact with the lads.
“They’re all part of county academies and they come to the national centre approximately for a week of every month.
“They have really bonded together as a unit, worked extremely hard and they are all chomping at the bit.”
EDP Under-17s Squad
Haseeb Hameed (Lancashire)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Harry Dearden (Lancashire)
Jared Warner (Yorkshire)
Mosun Hussain (Yorkshire)
Bradley Taylor (Hampshire)
Joe Weatherley (Hampshire)
Max Holden (Middlesex)
Arthur Godsal (Middlesex)
Matthew Taylor (Northamptonshire)
Tom Moores (Leicestershire)
Harvey Hosein (Derbyshire)
Aneurin Donald (Glamorgan)
Aaron Beard (Essex)
Ben Green (Somerset)
Simon Walton (Nottinghamshire)
Itinerary
April 17 2014 – 1st ODI
April 19 2014 – 2nd ODI
April 21 2014 – 3rd ODI
April 24-26 2014 – Three-day match