CHENNAI: Sixteen players who did well in Junior Super Kings tournament will be going to England to take part in an international junior academy tournament conducted by Pro Coach Cricket Yorkshire, the official coaching partner of Yorkshire County Club. Chennai Super Kings is sponsoring the tour for the Junior Super Kings team. They will leave on July 5 and play a series of T20 matches and stay for two weeks in England.
CSK’s Ambati Rayudu will mentor the team, while former Tamil Nadu batsman S Sharath is the coach. Former BCCI president N Srinivasan wished the players good luck on Tuesday. “They have a mentor in Ambati Rayudu. What greater inspiration can you have than that?” “CSK has been conducting the Junior Super Kings tournament for the last four years. This is the first year that they are getting an opportunity to play in England. It will be an outstanding experience for the boys.
TNPL itself is a platform for some to step up, go to IPL and then to go on to play for India. I think their skillsets will improve and hopefully they all should progress.’’ Srinivasan also sympathised with Rayudu, who will miss India’s tour of England after failing the yo-yo test last month. “I am sad he is not a part of the team in England. I think anybody who watched IPL this season will say how good he was. I never comment on selection.
As a cricket aficionado, I am sad that he is not going to England as a player,’’ said Srinivasan, adding that TNPL outstation players draft will be held on Wednesday. Rayudu said that he was happy to be a part of Junior Super Kings. “I would like to share my experiences with the boys. Playing for CSK was unique. The warmth, the atmosphere and excellent team management propelled us to give our best on the field. I am working on my game and skills and confident of making a comeback into the Indian team soon.”
Jolly Rovers triumph
Jolly Rovers beat Alwarpet CC by 32 runs in VAP Trophy limited-over tournament at IIT-Chemplast.
Brief scores: At SRMC: MRC A vs Crom Best (called off due to wet outfield); At SSN:
Young Stars 123 in 37 ovs lost to MCC 124/2 in 17 ovs; At CPT IP: Nelson 259 in 38 ovs bt India Pistons 207 in 36.2 ovs; At TI Murugappa: TI Cycles 173/5 in 33 ovs lost to India Cements Grand Slam 174/2 in 28.3 ovs; At MRF Pachaiyappa’s: Globe Trotters 171 in 46.2 ovs lost to Vijay CC 176/4 in 28.5 ovs;
At IIT Chemplast: Jolly Rovers 220 in 47.5 ovs bt Alwarpet CC 188 in 47.5 ovs
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com