Hugh Bernard looks ahead to winter away
Monday 7th December 2015
Kent’s Hugh Bernard has flown out to Sri Lanka for a tri-series against India and Sri Lanka with former team-mate Ryan Davies ahead of next month’s ICC U19 World Cup.
England will take on West Indies, Fiji and Zimbabwe in the group stage of the tournament starting on Wednesday 27 January in Bangladesh.
If they secure a top-two spot in the group, they would face Australia, India, Nepal or New Zealand in the quarter-final.
Hugh Bernard has experience of sub-continental conditions and says the December trip will be ideal preparation for the big tournament in Bangladesh.
“I went to Sri Lanka with the Academy last year and went to India for a three-month spell in 2012 so I have some knowledge of playing out there.
“We’ve had access to wickets under a tent at Loughborough which should stand us in good stead.”
Announcing the schedule, ICC General Manager Geoff Allardice said: “The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup an event which provides talented youngsters an early taste of international cricket in a global setting. Countless players have come through this event, and emerged shortly afterwards on to the international arena.
“It is at this tournament that the players also receive important education on topics such anti-doping and anti-corruption, which provides them a head start on the challenges that lie ahead for professional sportsmen.
“Bangladesh has staged a number of ICC events in the past and all these have been hugely successful because of the passionate and enthusiastic crowds as well as high quality playing facilities.”
England group stage fixtures: January 27 v Fiji, January 29 v Zimbabwe, January 31 v West Indies.
Quarterfinals: February 6-8, Semi-finalsFebruary9-11, FinalFebruary14.