Players to watch at the Under 19 World Cup

The 9^th edition of the Under 19 cricket world cup gets underway in four days time in Townsville. After watching most of the players in the Quadrangular tournament earlier this year, I have picked out four players to watch in the World Cup.  

Kurtis Patterson (Left Hand Bat, Australia)

Kurtis Patterson has been a well know figure in Australian cricket since he made 157not out on debut for NSW last year.  Tall and elegant, Patterson has wonderful temperament and has been integral part of the Australia U19 team for over a year now. Patterson has scored four hundreds and 5 fifties at this level in last 12 months across 3 different continents.  Kurtis likes to start in a conservative manner and then once set he can unleash strokes that resemble Adam Gilchrist at his sublime best. Driving and cutting are trademarks of his batting. Patterson batting has solely been the barometer for the Australian team perfromances over the past last year.  With Australia currently appearing thin on batting prospects, an impressive tournament could lead to a much bigger picture.

Unmukt Chand (Right Hand Bat, India)

Unmukt has already been touted as the next Virat Kohli in the cricketing circles of India. Chand will not only be the premier batsmen but also have the burden of leading the Indian team. Unmukt record at this level speaks for itself; he averages over 75 and has scored 5 hundred’s in the last 12 months. Unmukt has already experienced first class cricket for Delhi and already has 1 hundred and 4 fifties to his name. Unmukt is natural stroke player with his wristy flicks and ability to pull short of length deliveries his major assets, the latter a shot that should seek rich rewards on the Australian pitches.  Last time he visited the Australian shores he scored a 91 against a strong English bowling line up and backed it up with an unbeaten 100 against the Australian attack that featured Pat Cummins.  If he can lead India to world cup glory we can be assured he is walking on the same path as Virat Kohli.

Daniel Bell-Drummond (Right Hand Bat, England)

Two weeks ago, Bell-Drummond scored 42 and 48not out for Kent against the South African test bowling line up of Morkel, Steyn and Philander.  The innings was combination of solid defence and brilliant counter attack against quality bowling. In the Quad series in Australia last year, Bell-Drummond looked the complete package scoring a well composed 100 against Australia. One feature that stands out in Bell-Drummond batting is the time he has to execute shots against fast bowling. Powerfully built man with West Indian blood, Bell-Drummond has certainly inherited the Carribian flamboyance. The short arm pulls and his ability to hit the ball hard over the top and along the ground are the characteristics of his batting. No doubt he will be the price wicket for any opposition during this world cup.

Kraigg Braithwaite (Right Hand Bat, West Indies)

The West Indies captain is the most experienced player at his tournament.  Braithwaite has already featured in 9 tests as an opener for the West Indies.  Braithwaite has scored 4 fifties in test cricket against elite bowlers in adverse conditions. Braithwaite is pre-dominantly a front foot player and is extremely difficult to dismiss. Having faced the likes of Hilfenhaus, Anderson and Ashwin in the past 12 months, expect him to have a feast against the low profile under 19 bowlers.  Expect him to hold up one end while the other batting around him.  Playing in his second Under 19 world cup, he will be defining factor to the success of the West Indies.