Velani gets England call-up (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Velani gets England call-up

12:40pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Local Sport

CRICKET: Brentwood School cricketer Kishen Velani has been selected for the England Under-19 squad to compete in next month’s Cricket World Cup in Australia.

Seventeen-year-old Kishen, who plays for the School and Essex 2nd XI, said he was “over the moon” at his inclusion in the 15-man England Under-19 squad.

He will fly to Australia at the end of the month for a week of acclimatising before the competition begins.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the England squad for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup last week. England, under the captaincy of Kent’s Adam Ball, will begin with a game against hosts Australia in Townsville on August 11 before playing Ireland and Nepal in the other group stage matches. If England progress in the competition, they could then go on to face one of 12 other countries in the latter stages.

Kishen, who will be away for about a month, will return to Brentwood School’s Upper Sixth in September for his last year at school. His dream is to one day become a professional cricketer.

Headmaster Ian Davies said the school was very proud of the young right-hand batsman’s achievements and wished him every success in the competition.

He added: “Kishen is currently studying for a full set of A levels, and we anticipate good results for him in summer 2013.

“Hi’s ability to manage the heavy workload of A levels and achieve such success on the cricket field is to be applauded.”

The Under-19 squad was selected by the England Development Programme selectors, including David Graveney, Tim Boon, John Abrahams and Iain Brunnschweiler Mr Graveney said: “The squad we have put together contains strength in depth and some exciting young talent which we look forward to seeing perform on the world stage in Australia.”