ICC U19 World Cup 2018 launched in New Zealand

The ICC U19 World Cup 2018 was today launched here with 44 days to go for the 16-team event that brings together future stars who will compete across four cities and seven venues in New Zealand from 13 January to 3 February.

Wellington: The ICC U19 World Cup 2018 was today launched with 44 days to go for the 16-team event that brings together future stars who will compete across four cities and seven venues in New Zealand from 13 January to 3 February.

The function was attended by Hon Grant Robertson, Minister for Sports and Recreation of New Zealand, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive David White and Event Brand Ambassador Corey Anderson among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Richardson thanked New Zealand Cricket for hosting the tournament for the third time and extolled the importance of the U19 Cricket World Cup ingrooming players from around the world.

Richardson: "The ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup is special for so many reasons. It gives players an unrivaled experience of global events, a real flavor of international cricket at senior level and a glimpse into what life as one of the world's best is really like.

"This event plays an important role in developing the participating teenagers into international professionals, teaching them invaluable lessons in comradery, discipline, leadership, playing under pressure and of course in the spirit of the game.

"A host of past and present stars have come through the U19s since its inception in 1988. The fact that a number of current captains including your very own Kane Williamson,Virat Kohli Steve Smith, Joe Root, Sarfraz Ahmed, Dinesh Chandimal and Eoin Morgan have all played in the event demonstrates the calibre of cricket we have come to expect at this event."

New Zealand all-rounder Anderson remembered how the tournament helped shape his career.

Anderson: "It is an honour for me to be associated with this tournament as its Brand Ambassador. I played in two U19 World Cups in 2008 and 2010  and can’t forget the experience of playing with the upcoming best from around the world.

"I was lucky to have figured in the tournament along with players like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, all of who have gone on to lead their respective sides in world cricket. The tournament provides players with many learnings which hold them in good stead as they develop intotop-class cricketers."

Details of the Trophy Tour for the tournament were also revealed during the event, which was attended by current players from the New Zealand and the Windies sides, who are due to play in the first match of their two-Test series at Wellington's Basin Reserve from tomorrow.

The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour will commence in Wellington on December 1 and after several school and clubvisits to create awareness about the ICC U19 Cricket World Cupand to drive attendances, will culminate in Lincoln onDecember 13.