England U19s squad named for Tri-Series

The England U19s head to the UAE this weekend for a Tri-series with Pakistan and UAE U19s, as part of their ongoing preparation ahead of the ICC U19s World Cup which takes place in February 2014 in the same country.

The 17-man squad will play in Abu Dhabi at the Oval Ground, in Sharjah at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and in Dubai at three different grounds.

Northamptonshire’s Ben Duckett and Essex batsman Kishen Velani have been withdrawn from the squad as they have failed to meet the minimum fitness standards for selection. They will be given a further opportunity to meet the minimum standards prior to selection of the final squad for the ICC U19s World Cup in January 2014.

Hampshire’s Tom Barber has also had to be withdrawn from the squad due to injury. Therefore Nottinghamshire seamer Luke Wood and Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood will now be added to the squad.

EDP Chairman of Selectors David Graveney OBE said: “The England Development Programme and England U19 programme gives us an opportunity to set high standards and expectations for our future England cricketers. On this occasion Ben and Kishen did not meet the minimum standards required for selection so this presents a great opportunity for Luke and Saqib to experience a challenging overseas tour and to press their case for inclusion in the squad for the ICC U19 World Cup.”