Under-15s face the Ireland challenge

Ireland's domination of European youth tournaments has been the major story of recent seasons, and it's already beginning to look as if 2007 may be no different. But the Under-15 squads of Scotland, hosts The Netherlands, and Denmark will have other ideas this week as the four countries fight out the ICC European U/15 Division 1 Championship in Deventer.

The Irish come into this tournament with a relatively inexperienced side, only one of them having played in last year's competition for this age group. The one in question, however, is opening bowler Shane Getkate, who last week was playing for his country's Under-19 team. This week he will be back to bowling at youngsters of his own age, and may relish the experience.

Led by Niall Delany, Ireland has half-a-dozen players who were in the squad which won the Under-13 Championship two years ago, and they will be determined to maintain the extraordinary winning record of Irish youth teams.

Scotland came second last year, and will have three players in its squad who were in that side. They are captain Patrick Sadler and batsmen Freddie Coleman and Aman Bailwal, both of whom had impressive Under-13 tournaments in 2005. But they, too, are bringing a generous sprinkling of new faces, and it is difficult to predict how the side will fare.

The Netherlands will, of course, be on home soil, and has a squad which is among the most experienced in European competition. It also includes three members of last year's team, in batsmen Dennis Coster and Nicky Vieler, and leg-spinner Vinoo Tewarie, who has already played a few games in the Hoofdklasse competition. He is one of two leg-spinners in the side, the other being Matthijs Luten.

Like the Dutch, Denmark has a fairly young squad, but it is also one with plenty of experience. Only batsman Hamid Mazhar Shah survives from the 2005 Under-15 side, but several, including skipper Christian Peck-Thorsted, step up from the Under-13s. They may find it a tough battle against older boys, but they are certain to benefit from the competition.