United States: Young team to tour England and Wales

Win/loss ratio will not be significant for the United States during next month's historic tour of England and Wales.

That's according to national team coach, Seu Shivnarine, who said the eight match 14 day tour would be used to develop younger players on the fringe of the national team.

"We are taking an 'A' team to give experience to guys who will play for the team in the near future," the former West Indian Test player of the late '70s said.

"It will give them a chance at things they don't get an opportunity to experience here in the 'States such as better umpiring and grass wickets."

The average age of the team is below 25, reflecting the USACA's youth policy.

"The ICC and the West Indies encouraged us to go for youth," the Guyanese born New York resident explained.

The squad is chocful of players who made representative teams at junior age level in their country of birth.

"Naseer Islam is a very good all-rounder who played representative cricket at the junior level in Pakistan.

"There are also some very good players who should qualify to play for us for the ICC Trophy next year."

While the squad was chosen with an eye to the future, several potential tourists were also ruled out due to work commitments.

They are expected to come back for the inaugural Americas Cup in Toronto, Canada, in August.

Shivnarine is unapologetic for the totally expatriate nature of the team.

"There are simply not enough American born players playing the game. In New York we are taking equipment to schools and developing juniors but it will be seven or eight years before there are any results.

"Americans won't recognise us as a professional sport until we play in the World Cup," Shivnarine said.

The squad: Raymond Denny (Captain), Richard Staples (Vice-Captain), Inshan Ali, Zamin Amin, Imran Awan, Nirosh DeSilva, Nezam Hafeez, Naseer Islam, Nasir Javed, Mark Johnson, Adrian Jordan, Steve Massiah, Masood Mohammad, Abbas Rizvi, Stephen Speaks; Manager - Kamran Khan; Coach - Seu Shivnarine.