ON Aug 20 1996, my ambition, along with the English Schools' Cricket Association, to stage the first junior world cup of cricket - the Lombard World Challenge - came true.

The scene was Lord's, the game, India versus Pakistan. For four weeks, we had brought the best young cricketers in the world to England to contest their skills, forge friendships and to give them a special start in life. High up in the Sky Sports commentary box, Ian Botham and Allan Lamb marvelled at the skills of the 15-year-olds. Job done, a dream come true. Two weeks before the final, I had received the call: ``Loon, get yourself ready, we're off again, you, me and Lamby. Thirty six nights on the trot . .