The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced the England Development Programme (EDP) squad to play three one-day 50-over matches and a one-off three-day match against Pakistan Under-17s in the UAE next month.
The 15-man touring party predominantly consists of cricketers from the U17 age group, but in a reciprocal agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board, also features three U16 players and three U18 players.
The side will be led by Middlesex’s Max Holden who, along with Sam Curran (Surrey) and Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire), is part of the full EDP training squad for 2014-2015. The remaining 12 players have been selected from the county academy system. They will all be hoping to emulate the performances of the EDP U17 side that beat Pakistan U17s in a three-match one-day series and one-off three-day match on home soil last summer.
EDP Coach Ian Brunnschweiler will oversee the 16-day tour from February 11 – 27, with support from England Performance Programme (EPP) Lead Spin Bowling Coach, Peter Such, and Head of the EDP, Andy Hurry. The entire series will take place at the ICC Academy in Dubai, with the three one-day matches being played on February 17, 19 and 21, followed by the standalone three-day match from February 24 – 26.
Commenting on the squad, England Development Programme Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: “The selection of three U16 players and three slightly older U18 guys for this series helps us to ensure that we are developing as wide a pool of young talent as possible. When planning the tour, we didn’t want to be limited to a single age group – it’s hugely important that we have a long-term vision and pathway in place across the board at this formative stage of the players’ development.
“The primary objective for the series is around providing a testing development opportunity against strong opposition in tough conditions. An overseas tour in the UAE against Pakistan U17s fits these criteria perfectly, and I am certain that everyone involved will learn a great deal.”
England Development Programme Squad v Pakistan U17:
Name | County | Age Group |
Martin Andersson | Middlesex | U18 |
Ed Barnes | Yorkshire | U17 |
George Bartlett | Somerset | U17 |
Sam Curran* | Surrey | U17 |
Jordan Garrett | Gloucestershire | U16 |
Arthur Godsal | Middlesex | U17 |
Tom Haines | Sussex | U16 |
Max Holden* (captain) | Middlesex | U17 |
Tom Moores* | Nottinghamshire | U18 |
George Panayi | Warwickshire | U17 |
David Sayer | Leicestershire | U17 |
Andrew Thomas | Middlesex | U16 |
Ben Twohig | Worcestershire | U17 |
Sam Underdown | Somerset | U18 |
Saif Zaib | Northamptonshire | U17 |
*Part of full 2014-2015 EDP squad
Tour Itinerary:
Date | Format | Opposition | Venue |
17.2.15 | 50-over match | Pakistan U17 | ICC Academy, Dubai |
19.2.15 | 50-over match | Pakistan U17 | ICC Academy, Dubai |
21.2.15 | 50-over match | Pakistan U17 | ICC Academy, Dubai |
24.2.15 – 26.2.15 | 3-day match | Pakistan U17 | ICC Academy, Dubai |