January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Cricket youth set for Dubai tour
The squad has yet to be finalized but it is understood that the four graduates of the ICC winter training academy — Somerset batsman Azeem Pitcher, Bailey's Bay duo Jim West and Azeem Pitcher and Western Stars wicket-keeper Jekon Edness will be included.
Leicestershire based schoolboy Stefan Kelly may also travel to the Middle East as part of the 15-man squad to play five one-day internationals against the United Arab Emirates.
Captain Clay Smith has been ruled out through injury and it is believed his absence will afford coach Gus Logie a chance to try out some of his exciting youngsters.
Logie, who was unavailable for comment yesterday, has already indicated his desire to look at all his options during his tour and the fact that the academy graduates have been in intensive training for the past few months will give them the edge on their rivals.
No official announcement has been made as yet with a press conference expected on Thursday.
Seam bowler Jim West said he was hoping to make the squad, but nothing had been finalized as yet.
West said he had been working hard on his fitness and was still feeling sharp since the winter camp in Pretoria.
He said the experience had improved his fitness as well as his bowling action and ability to swing the ball.
“I'm not sure what they are doing, but I think they'd like to give us a chance at some stage.
“I've only bowled once in the nets since Christmas but it felt good, everything's still there from what I learned when I was in South Africa.
“I've got to keep on practising and practising. The national team is training five times a week now and I'm doing a bit of extra running and pedaling in the mornings to keep everything moving.”
He said, if selected, he hoped to help the team in anyway he could.
“Bowling is my main thing but I've improved my fitness and my fielding so I'd hope to contribute in every aspect of the game.”
Middle-order batsman Azeem Pitcher said the training camp had given him extra confidence and awareness of where he needed to improve.
“I'm definitely more confident, definitely fitter. It was a good experience. In the games we played while we were out there you could see the improvement everyone had made.”
Pitcher's availability for training has been curtailed by work commitments but he will be ready to play for his country if selected for the tour, starting on January 28.
If he does make the tour his ambition is simple.
“Just to stay at the wicket and score runs,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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