{ "id": "13828", "author": "13", "cnmid": "0", "title": "U-19 World Cup an ideal platform for learning: Graeme Smith", "lang": "en", "series": "94", "cup_year": "2016", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

Mumbai, 21 January<\/strong>- Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith termed the upcoming Under-19 cricket World Cup as a great learning experience for young players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Smith, who played in the 2000 event in Sri Lanka and emerged as the top scorer in the tournament, said it was a "wonderful platform" and a "stepping stone into international level".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It doesn't get bigger than that for a youngster," Smith, who was South Africa's youngest captain at 22 and played 117 Tests, 197 One-Day Internationals and 33 T20I games for his country, said in an International Cricket Council (ICC) release on Thursday. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The tournament is due to start on January 27 in Bangladesh. Three-time U-19 winners (2000, 2008, 2012) India are clubbed in Group D alongside Ireland, New Zealand and Nepal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Defending champions South Africa will open their title defence against hosts Bangladesh in Chittagong on January 27 at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The Proteas and Bangladesh are in Group A alongside Scotland and Namibia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"When you are under-19, you are inexperienced, so it is a real opportunity for you to gain the experience of playing against different players from around the world. A chance to learn how they play and think about the game. Try to put yourself in the pressure environment of a World Cup and see how you go as a player and as a team," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Group B comprises two-time winner Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Canada, while Group C has 1998 champions England along with the West Indies, Zimbabwe and Fiji.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

A total of 48 matches will be played across eight venues and the final will be held on February 14 in Mirpur.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Look at someone like Kagiso Rabada and how his career has jumped from Under-19 cricket into a full blown international career. At this stage, you have this opportunity and platform to go and put in performances that can make people sit up and take notice."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Apart from the 10 Test playing countries, six associate and affiliate member sides - Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal and Scotland - will also participate after winning the various regional qualifying events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 34-year-old also recalled his appearance in the 2000 tournament, saying it was a "wonderful experience".<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"It was my first opportunity to be involved in anything around international cricket. I really enjoyed the event and though the wickets spun a little bit more than what we got in South Africa, I certainly enjoyed batting at the top of the order," he said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I loved the experience, I loved the opportunity to go and see another country, to experience it and to play. It was the first real recognition that may be there is something that I can go on and achieve in the game of cricket," Smith concluded.<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2016\/01\/graeme-smith-1.jpg", "alt_img": "U-19 World Cup an ideal platform for learning says Graeme Smith", "alt_title": "Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith", "image1": "", "video": "", "seo_title": "U-19 World Cup an ideal platform for learning: Graeme Smith", "seo_desc": "U-19 World Cup an ideal platform for learning: Graeme SmithMumbai, 21 January- Former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith termed the upcoming Under-19 cricket Wor", "seo_keywords": "Graeme Smith, Cricket South Africa, ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016, South Africa U-19 Cricket Team", "tag": "", "tagging": "", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "0", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": "0", "slug": "u-19-world-cup-an-ideal-platform-for-learning-says-graeme-smith", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": "0000-00-00", "ians_time": "00:00:00", "server_time": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "trash": "0", "view_count": "2328", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "0", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2016-01-21 20:09:00", "updated": "2016-01-21 20:09:00", "img_from": "", "img_source": "", "schedule_publish": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "news_keywords": null, "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2016-01-21 20:09:00", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": "2016-01-21 20:09:00", "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/u-19-world-cup-an-ideal-platform-for-learning-says-graeme-smith-13828" }