Date-stamped : 31 Jan1998 - 22:31 Sat Jan 31 Future Test stars are emerging Trevor Chesterfield Centurion - Hasan Raza, if we are to believe the birth dates eminating from Pakistan, a country more noted for their politcal as well as their selection squabbles, is already well equipped as a Test player. Which means he does not fit into this category of "most liklely to . . . " talent bracket as he has already made it. But if claims Shahid Afridi also qualified fo this second under/19 World Cup, the big-hitting all-rounder with the wonky elbow could have been a big hit. For a change, however, Pakistan decided not to embarrasss themselves the way the West Indies did with seven over-aged players and Denmark also fall foul of the age limit with their original choice of captain. Never mind: it's all in a day's juggling act as we ponder how many Test players will emerge from the 1998 youth event which attracted 15 countries to South Africa; all a matter of conjecture naturally. Some who made an impression during the last three weeks could fade as swiftly as they appeared. There are those, of course, who come from countries where Test stauts is an unlikley event in what remains of this or the next millenium. Yet selecting a side from the 16 countries involved is not as easy as it appears on the surface. After all, who from South Africa would make the side? And was there anyone from such outposts as Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh or Denmark worth consideration for inclusion in a side selected from those playing in the tournament. We will skip, for the moment some of the more impressive names: such as Raza, Middlesex and England A batsman Owais Shah along with Paul Franks, who has turned out for Nottinghamshire, Giles Haywood (Sussex), and the Essex trio of Jonathan Powell, Graham Napier and Stephen Peters; another useful candidate is Graeme Swann (Northants). And there's a group of Indians who have also played first-class: Amit Pagnis and Mohammad Kaif being two notable while there are a couple of New Zealanders, Australians and even Zimbaweans who have established credentials which could see them claim places in their country's A team in the next summer or two. But looking at a side selected on the form this tournament alone would create more than enough biting of the end of a pencil and scratching of names from a list of players that has stretched well beyond 20. So while South Africa, vanquished to their bitter disappointment by a side which barely made a ripple until yesetrday, can claim two berths, others demanding attention would edge out other fancied candidates. All subjective, of course, but some of the names, such as Harbajar Singh with his Bishen Bedi-like head gear would come as a surprise to some, but not those who have closely followed this tournament. Ritender Sohdi, the Indian opener, is another name which most would overlook as he has not batted well in a couple of Super League games, but is earmarked for higher honours. The same could be said for New Zealand's James Marshall who has scored most runs this touranament with 288. A pleasing strokeplayer who hits the ball hard. Jon Kent is the first of the two South Africans, the other is Morne van Wyk whose batting exploits pushes him ahead of Prassana Jayawardena, the Sri Lankan whose wicketkeeping has been a revelation. But he has not managed to string an innings together. Between Van Wyk and Kent is the first of Australia's two players Michael Klinger in the final squad and whose batting average of 42 is worthy of consideration ahead of Shah and Scott Kremerskothen, an Australian top-order specialist. Kaif, of India, deserves his place in the side because of his ability as an all-round batsman who has worked well under pressure while James Hopes, the other Australian has perfomed well throghout, as has Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. The name of his most likely new-ball partner Amit Bhandari, of India, might surprise most; but his consistentcy has been remarkable under pressure. Filling the last spot in the side would be Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Arshad Juniad who has strangled most batting sides with his uncanny accuracy. Among those close to selection but who narrowly failed to make it would be West Indian opener Christopher Gayle and their all-rounder Ramnaresh Sarwan, Bruce Martin, the Kiwi left-armer, Mulaleki Nkala, the Zim all-rounder and leading wicket-taker, and Sri Lankan leg-spinner Malinga Bandara. On form and consistency a side led by Van Wyk would be: Ritender Sohdi (India), James Marshall (NZ), Jon Kent (SA), Michael Klinger (Aus), Morne van Wyk (SA, capt), Mohammad Kaif (India), James Hopes (Aust), Abdul Razzaq (Pak), Harbajab Singh (India), Amit Bhandari (India), Arshad Junaid (SL). Twelfth man: Johan Myburgh (SA) Trevor Chesterfield Cricket writer Pretoria News tche@ptn.independent.co.za Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)