Date:29/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/29/stories/2006062906702000.htm

Sport - Cricket

A chance for promising youngsters

Principal Correspondent

Bangalore: Lalchand Rajput, coach of the India under-19 cricket team, termed the forthcoming tour of England as the perfect opportunity for the young players to push for higher honours.

Rajput spoke during the course of the team's preparatory camp that commenced at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) premises here on Wednesday. The camp will continue till July 7 and the team will tour England from July 9 to August 10.

Rajput stressed on the importance of an England tour in polishing up a player's cricketing education. "The under-19 age group separates the men from the boys. An England tour is tough. A day might start sunny, mid-way there will be thunder and suddenly the evenings will be cold.

"The pitches too vary according to the weather and the ball seams more. Anyone who succeeds in England is often regarded as a complete cricketer and I have told the boys to be prepared and their mission is to win," Rajput said.