USA squandering gains of Under-19 success

Having achieved a remarkable milestone with its overwhelming victories over its Americas opponents in qualifying for the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006, the team is fast becoming a victim of US cricket politics.

Little has been done by the USA Cricket Association or Councul of League Presidents, the two bodies battling for control of US cricket, in preparation for the World Cup, and there is every chance that the talented USA team could arrive at Sri Lanka unprepared to face their far more experienced opponents from the Test-playing countries -- with the expected traumatic consequences.

Laks Sampath, a USACA director for the Northwest Region, outlined just what the U-19 team needs to do in the next few months. Shortly after the Canada tournament, he outlined the steps that needed to be taken and invited his colleagues to start executing a preparation plan on a fast-track mode. Sampath's suggestions included: (1) set up a budget committee for team preparations; (2) name a team manager at least three months ahead, to take care of paperwork and coordinate with ICC; (3) identify a national coach, publicity officer, a tour liaison officer and a selection committee; (4) name someone to arrange practice matches in the USA and abroad.

Mr. Sampath's suggestions were greeted with the usual negativism that has become endemic to US cricket discussions. Some people accused him of grandstanding, a now-familiar charge that seems to be leveled at just about any one who proposes a new line of action for U.S. Cricket. Others pointed out that Mr. Sampath was a defendant in the USACA lawsuit, and his ideas needed to be taken with a grain of salt. A few hinted that USACA or CLP might be doing these things already behind the scenes, though why such acts needed to be cloaked in total secrecy was never made clear. Not a single response was made to Mr. Sampath's specific suggestions, and neither the CLP nor the USACA has shown any inclination to put forward any plans of their own.

So the USA U-19 team is adrift in a sea of uncertainty, with nothing to do except to wait for their slow boat to Sri Lanka next year. Even the USACA national Under-19 tournament, which could have provided some minimal practice to the youngsters prior to the World Cup, has fallen victim to the USACA-CLP dispute, and may not be held at the scheduled time and place. This is hardly what the youngsters expected after their sterling performances in Canada. And more to the point, this is not what US cricketers expected from their supposed national leadership at such a time of opportunity for US cricket.