California Cricket Academy (CCA) announced its second international tour, this time to England, starting August 14th. CCA organized an international tour to India last year where U-15 players from different part of the country played at international stadiums in India.

California Cricket Academy to tour UK

California Cricket Academy (CCA) announced its second international tour, this time to England, starting August 14th. CCA organized an international tour to India last year where U-15 players from different part of the country played at international stadiums in India.

"California Cricket Academy is committed to produce talented cricketers for USA team by providing them world class skill enhancement and games training. This year we have invited 3 players from outside the academy and outside California. All our coaches have advised us to ensure that our boys tour England and play in English weather and pitch conditions. Thanks to our credibility among different international organizations, we are able to do the right thing for our youth - and we have now arranged such a tour. We will be certainly open to help out other academies and associations for our common goal of a strong USA team ", says Hemant Buch, Founder and President of California Cricket Academy and chairman of the USACA's Western Region.

Representing CCA on this tour are several U17 players from all over the USA including three invitational players from the national U15 side - one each from New York, Kansas and Michigan. CCA coach Tushar Arothe, who is based in India, will travel with the team locally. Tushar has played over 100 first class matches and is an ECB level 1 certified coach. "It will be a great opportunity for our players to be coached by Tushar who has played county cricket in England for over 15 years and is very familiar with English conditions," says Vikram Watave of CCA, who planned the tour.

The CCA boys will be playing against different cricket clubs in Manchester area. The trip includes four 40 over matches and two 20 over matches.

The squad consists of 11 seasoned players who have been playing within U.S. for many years. All but one also participated in U15 National tournaments.

The squad:

Vinay Suri is a top order batsman who played on the winning squad in the U.S. U19 national tournament. Vinay is also opening bowler.

Vikram Valluri is an opening batsman who played for USA in the ICC All Americas U-15 championships in Bermuda. In the final match against Bermuda, Vikram made 51 off 56 balls, with 6 4's and a 6 putting 97 runs with his partner - Abhijit Joshi. USA beat Bermuda 110 runs in the match finishing second overall.

Akash Jaganathan is an opening batsman who has scored a couple of centuries. He is the youngest batsman to score a century in the local league. Akash played from US U-15 team for Americas ICC Championship.

Deep Sathe is a leg spin bowler who also is extremely strong with the bat. Deep has taken five wickets few times in youth games.

Adhiraj Watave is an aggressive batsman who also bowls with an attitude. He is the youngest player on the team.

Alok Mehta is a bowler with the passion to take wickets. He won man of the match award during recently concluded Us Junior National tournament in California.

Jason Fox is an accomplished batsman, bowler, and keeper from Kansas and represented US recently in Bermuda for Americas U-15 championship.

Steven Shaw is a very strong batsman and represented US recently in Bermuda for Americas U-15 championship and batted very well.

Chanakya Lokam is an opening batsman who played in the U15 Nationals and is getting trained in India.

Pranay Suri is a top accomplished all rounder who captained Western region U-15 team which won the US National championship. Pranay also performed extremely well in the recently concluded Americas U-15 championship in Bermuda.

Gaurav Ambekar is a combative batsman who punishes the ball often.

Navneet Wariach is an off spin bowler who has been very consistent in his bowling and is utility batsman.

The tours itinerary is as follows:

14th --- Arrival at Manchester airport - - 6-30pm practice session at Treeton

15th --- Match against Treeton Cricket Club --- 1-00pm start - - 40 Overs

16th --- Rest day

17th --- Twenty20 game at Treeton CC

18th --- Rest day

19th --- Match against Anston Cricket Club --- 1-00pm start - - 40 overs

20th --- Match against Sheffield United-- 1-00am start - - 40 overs

21st --- Match against Anston CC. --- 5-00pm start - - Twenty20

22nd -- Match against Killamarsh Cricket Club ---6-00pm start - -Twenty20

23rd --- Return to USA