UQ hosts best young cricketers

Some of the world's most promising young cricketers will visit The University of Queensland when it plays host to four matches of the 2008 Emerging Players Tournament held in July.

The tournament, hosted by the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence (CA COE), showcases international talent in Twenty20 and 50-over matches.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) team is aiming to win the title for the first time but will have to play their best to defeat teams from India, New Zealand and South Africa.

CA COE Manager Belinda Clark said the Emerging Players Tournament has rapidly grown in stature and showcased some of the world’s best young cricket talent.

“The Emerging Players Tournament provides a fantastic competition for our scholars to put their training program in to match practice,” Ms Clark said.

“The tournament is growing in profile each year, due to the role it has played in developing international cricketers.

“For the first time the tournament will be contested by the best young talent selected by their respective boards from South Africa, India, New Zealand and Australia and we expect some excellent cricket to be played.”

Karnataka, a state team from India, won the inaugural Emerging Players Tournament trophy in 2005, while South Africa has claimed the honours for the past two years.

International cricket players Adam Voges, Ben Hilfenhaus, Jacob Oram and Shane Bond all competed in the Emerging Players Tournament early in their careers.

The University of Queensland will host the following matches:

Thursday 17 July (50 overs) AIS v New Zealand (9am)

Friday 19 July (50 overs) New Zealand v India (9am)

Sunday 20 July (50 overs) South Africa v New Zealand (9am)

Saturday 26 July (50 overs) Finals: Third v Fourth (9am)

For the full playing schedule visit cricketaustralia.com.au.

MEDIA: Stephen Danckert (07 3346 7520 or stephend@uqsport.uq.edu.au)