ICC U-19 World Cup 2018 officially launched

With ICC U19 World Cup 2018 just around the corner, the curtain-raiser for the mega-event was conducted on Thursday in Wellington. Just 44 days remain for the 16-team event, which will be hosted in New Zealand from 13 January to 3 February. The roadmap of the Trophy Tour was 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 function witnessed the presence of stark personalities like 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 as he extolled the importance of the U19 Cricket World Cup in grooming players from around the world.

Richardson said, “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.”

He added, “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.”

Australia and India have been most successful in the U-19 World Cup

Coming into the tournament as the defending champions, West Indies will have a lot at stake as they aim to extend their dominion in the format. Pakistan is the only side to have defended the title when they emerged victorious in the 2004 and 2006 editions while England and South Africa are the other teams to have won the tournament.

Australia and India are the most successful teams in the tournament, winning the title three times each.