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The Players Who Won The Cup

Andrew Watt/ Electronic Telegraph

3 February 1998


OWAIS SHAH (Middlesex, captain). Age: 19.

Difficult to fathom quite why he did not score the runs expected of him in the World Cup although the talent is clearly there. He has, unfortunately, not shown as much promise as a captain either tactically or as a leader - as hoped for.

PAUL FRANKS (Nottinghamshire, vice-captain). Age: 19.

Bowled a superb line against Australia and in the first Test against South Africa in December but has bowled poorly in the other World Cup games. His clean hitting with the bat, when promoted up the order to No 3, is encouraging.

IAN FLANAGAN (Essex). Age: 17.

Played only two preliminary games in the World Cup and made six and no score. Difficult tour for the left-hander but he has time on his side.

MICHAEL GOUGH (Durham). Age: 18.

Started the World Cup as an opening bat but was left out after a duck against Bangladesh. Has a good temperament, which he showed in helping to save both Test matches against South Africa.

JAMIE GROVE (Essex). Age: 18.

Opening bowler who has endured a disappointing tour. The quickest bowler in the squad but is too erratic. He played in two preliminary games and one super league match in the tournament.

GILES HAYWOOD (Sussex). Age: 18.

Medium-pacer, whose spell of 10-5-18-3 in the final brought England back into the game. His batting has been less impressive on the tour.

ROBERT KEY (Kent). Age: 18.

Powerful opening bat but has blown hot and cold on this trip. Played a sensible second fiddle to Peters in the final.

RICHARD LOGAN (Northamptonshire). Age: 18.

Opening bowler, who bowled the ball of the tour against Australia when he yorked James Hopes. Bowled well in that game but has struggled with his direction in too many other matches.

GRAHAM NAPIER (Essex). Age: 18.

His medium-pace bowling has been more productive than his batting on this tour. Has bowled well and at crucial times in the World Cup, including the final.

STEPHEN PETERS (Essex). Age: 19.

One of the senior players, and batted beautifully in the final for 107. Also man of the match against Pakistan and scorer of a half-century against Australia.

JONATHAN POWELL (Essex). Age: 18.

Like Shah, now goes on to Sri Lanka to join the A tour. As an off-spinner, he has been outshone by Graeme Swann but took the catch of the tournament, high above his head on the boundary against Pakistan.

CHRIS SCHOFIELD (Lancashire). Age: 19.

Leg-spinner, whose mastery of the reverse sweep has at times overshadowed his bowling. Too often struggled for length but has all the variations.

GRAEME SWANN (Northamptonshire). Age: 18.

Off-spinning all-rounder who was the most impressive England bowler on the tour. Has excellent control and obtains considerable turn even on unhelpful wickets. His batting fell away in the World Cup.

NICK WILTON (Sussex). Age: 19.

Wicketkeeper who was the most improved player on the tour. Kept poorly against Australia but was sound in the final. Has a fine attitude and displays the right dedication to the game.


Source: The Electronic Telegraph
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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 19:10