U-19 Stars Who Played For Another Country: How Many Can You Guess?

Here’s a list of 14 Under-19 Cricket World Cup players who went on to represent another country.

Eoin Morgan, Imran Tahir and Colin de Grandhomme.

(Photo: AP/AP/BCCI)

ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cups have always been a major stepping stone for young cricketers who get to display their talent on a global platform. India captain Virat Kohli, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and Aussie captain Steve Smith are only some of the big stars who’ve played the tournament in their teens.

The 2018 edition is expected to be no different with all eyes on cricketers like Prithvi Shaw (India), Jason Sangha (Australia), as well as Afghanistan captain Naveen-ul-Haq and off-spinner Mujeeb Zadran – both of whom have already played senior international cricket.

However, there have been many cricketers who’ve represented one country at the U-19 level and gone on to play for another team in senior international cricket. As the 2018 edition of the tournament gets underway in New Zealand from 13 January, here’s a look at some of those names:

1. Eoin Morgan

(Photo: AP)

England’s captain in the shorter formats, Eoin Morgan represented Ireland in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2004. Sixteen-year-old Morgan made 99 for Ireland on debut, and was signed by Middlesex soon after. In April 2009, the middle-order batsman was called up by England soon after he secured Ireland’s qualification for the 2011 World Cup.

2. Imran Tahir

(Photo: AP)

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir met his wife Sumayya when he toured South Africa for the U-19 Cricket World Cup in 1998 representing Pakistan and went on to settle in that country. The 38-year-old took a circuitous route to South Africa through England and has earned a top-class reputation in limited overs cricket, even ascending to No 1 in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for both ODIs and T20Is.

3. Colin de Grandhomme

Colin de Grandhomme represented Zimbabwe in the under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2004 and later played for Zimbabwe A, before establishing himself in the New Zealand side. The 31-year-old all-rounder remembers playing along with leading Zimbabwe cricketers Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbara, Craig Ervine and Prosper Utseya and calls his decision a “great move” as “the cricket is getting better” and he has learnt a lot being in New Zealand.

4. Grant Elliott

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Grant Elliott)

New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliott’s best moment was probably guiding his team to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 with a fine knock against South Africa. But that came a good 17 years after he had figured for Zimbabwe in the 1998 U-19 CWC.

5. Jonathan Trott

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/England Cricket)

Retired England batsman Jonathan Trott had centuries on first-class and Test debuts but only after playing the U-19 CWC for South Africa in 2000. Interestingly, his immediate replacement in the Test side, left-hander Garry Ballance, made a similar move from Zimbabwe to England after figuring in the 2006 edition.

6. Michael Lumb

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Nottinghamshire CCC)

Son of Yorkshire opener Richard Lumb, left-handed opener Michael Lumb was born in South Africa and represented their country in the 1998 U19 CWC. However, he returned to his roots in 2000 to play for Yorkshire club and made his debut for England during the World Twenty20 in May 2010. After being a part of the Nottinghamshire side that won the Royal London Cup last year, Lumb was forced to retire due to ankle injury in July.

7. Craig Kieswetter

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/England Cricket)

Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Keiswetter, who represented South Africa in the 2006 U19 CWC, had an early end to an impressive career due to an injury behind the stumps. However, he was hot property when he broke onto the scene, selected for England within one week of qualifying to play for his adopted country.

Others

8. Logan van Beek (represented New Zealand in U19 CWC 2010, moved to Netherlands)
9. Gary Ballance (represented Zimbabwe in U19 CWC 2006, moved to England)
10. Andy Caddick (represented New Zealand in U19 CWC 1988, moved to England)
11. Peter Borren (represented New Zealand in U19 CWC 2002, moved to Netherlands)
12. Tim Murtagh (represented England in U19 CWC 2000, moved to Ireland)
13. Andri Berenger (represented Sri Lanka in U19 CWC 2010, moved to United Arab Emirates)
14. Logan van Beek (represented New Zealand in U19 CWC 2010, moved to Netherlands)

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