Paul Franks has been named in Michael Yardy’s coaching team for the upcoming England U19 quadrangular series in Vijayawada, India in November, and the subsequent 2024 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup in Sri Lanka in the new year.
The Nottinghamshire Assistant Head Coach joins Farhan Ahmed in representing the Green and Golds in the sub-continent with the Young Lions.
It’ll be Franks’ second Asia assignment in as many winters, having been Head Coach of Central Punjab in Pakistan's Quaid-e-Azam trophy as well as the 50-over tournament, the Pakistan Cup, last year.
“This is a different challenge and one that I am looking forward to,” Franks said.
“I’ll work with some really good young players in a really exciting time for them as they work up to the World Cup.
“We are looking for performance and development. The last England U19 Men’s World Cup team got to the final and did really well, plenty of players came through who have gone on to represent England and are now established in county cricket.
“That is the bare minimum - producing players who go on to play in our system.
“You have to build relationships quickly. We have got a camp coming up where I’ll be looking to do that; it is something I pride myself on.
“You have to work out how they like to work, how they train, what they like to explore in their practice to give them the best chance of showing the world what they have got.
Franks’ previous experience with England U19s came as a player in 1998, where England beat New Zealand in the final at Johannesburg.
“The game has changed a lot since the late 90s!” Franks said.
“What the players are capable of now at their age is very different to what we were trying to do, but the expectation is still there.
“We had high expectations and found form at the right time, and I’m sure this group will be looking to do exactly the same.
“The crux of knockout cricket is turning up on the day when we need to, reacting and playing good cricket. If we do that, who is to say we can’t go on to achieve really good things?”
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