Australian Youth World Cup team departs for Sri Lanka

The Australian youth team departs from Perth tonight for the Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The Australian team, selected in December 1999 after the Australian Under 19 Championship in Perth, comprises:

The Youth World Cup, held every two years, brings together the world's best young cricketers from the nine-Test playing nations and another seven developing cricket nations.

The Australian team is led by New South Welshman, Michael Clarke, an 18 year-old batsman and left-arm orthodox spinner who made his first-class debut with NSW in the Pura Milk Cup in December.

According to Australian coach Rod Marsh, the team boasts an abundance of talent.

"The Australian team competing for the Youth World Cup is very well balanced and we travel to Sri Lanka as one on the favourites to take out the coveted trophy," Marsh said.

"The side has excellent fast bowling strength and our batsmen showed great form at the Under 19 Championship in Perth. Further to that, we have very good all-rounders, some of which could have been selected for either batting or bowling."

Most of the players selected for Australia play First Grade/Premier cricket in their states. Experience in the sub-continent will enhance their knowledge of world cricket conditions and eventually improve their standard of play.

Marsh believes this tournament in Sri Lanka is important for the improvement of Australia's senior team in the subcontinent.

"There is no better way to improve performance in certain conditions than to play in them more often. Having these talented youngsters play in subcontinent conditions augurs well for the Australia's success in the future," he said.

The team departs from Perth on Singapore Airlines flight SQ 224 at 8.50pm (WST) and arrives in Colombo at 12.10am (Colombo time). Sri Lanka is five hours behind AEDST.