ICA releases junior Pesach schedule

An exciting new inititiative is the hosting of the first ever 2-day match in Israel. This will be played between U16 teams, the Negev Academy X1 and a North X1. Without any of the restrictions associated with limited overs cricket, the match will offer the youngsters a chance to bat for long periods, let the bowlers bowl long spells, and get the captains and indeed all the players thinking very carefully about tactics. Everybody is always saying that the only way to really make good cricketers into excellent ones is to have them playing the longer version of the game, which makes this is a very exciting initiative.A preliminary squad will be selected for the ECC 2nd Division U15 Championships at the conclusion of the match. The game will be played at Hadar Yosef on April 14 - 15.

The National Academy will meet for their second practice camp at Hadar Yosef on Thursday April 10. The team will play an Invitation X1 at Hadar Yosef on Friday April 11.

Originally scheduled for March 19, rain has forced the postponement of the ICA World Cup Tournament to Wednesday April 9. This event will be the largest ever cricket tournament hosted in Israel, featuring 12 junior teams, each playing under the name and in the colours of a World Cup team.

On Monday April 21 the U15 squad will gather in Be'er Sheva for their first squad practice session.

Whilst preparations begin in earnest for the U15 squad, the 2004 U13 team will not be forgotten...A Junior Challenge tournament featuring only those players who will be legible for selection for the 2004 U13 tour, will be held using real equipment played on a hard court on Tuesday April 8.

The U16 league commences on Sunday April 20 when 2002 champions Be'er Sheva meet the Negev X1. On Thursday April 24 Ra'anana host Ashdod at Hadar Yosef.

Tuesday 8: Junior Challenge (Be'er Sheva)
Wednesday 9: World Cup Tournament (Hadar Yosef)
Thursday 10: Academy Practice Camp (Hadar Yosef)
Friday 11: National Academy v Invitation X1 (Hadar Yosef)
Monday 14: Negev Academy v North X1, Day 1 (Hadar Yosef)
Tuesday 15: Negev Academy v North X1, Day 2 (Hadar Yosef)
Sunday 20: Junior League, Be'er Sheva v Negev X1 (Be'er Sheva)
Monday 21: U15 Squad Practice (Be'er Sheva)
Thursday 24: Junior League, Ra'anana v Ashdod (Hadar Yosef)