The WC challenge would be a litmus test for every team and I think all teams are balanced and would give stiff competitions to each other. As far as the Australian team is concerned,we will have the advantage of playing at the home grounds. Moreover,we have been training extensively for the past eight weeks together as a unit with Greg Chappell and Mc Dermot. But we are going to miss Patrick Cummins (now,the Australian pacer) Even as the Indian Colts count down to the ICC U-19 World Cup beginning this week in Brisbane,not too far from the Indian practice base,there is an Indian hoping and praying for the Australian team to win this time. Gurinder Singh Sandhu,19,born in Faridkot in Punjab and brought up in Sydney by his father,a taxi driver,will be wearing the Aussie colours in the competition and if experts are to be believed,the tall Sikh could be one of the stars of the Youth World Cup. Gurinder,the first Indian-origin player to wear the Aussie colours,has been a revelation in the Australian domestic circuit as he bowls right-handed and bats left-handed. He picked up eleven wickets in five matches with his pace and bounce during the Quadrangular U-19 Series in April,where the Indian team also participated. With the exposure I have had in the past three-four months,and the changes in my bowling as told to me by our coach Craig McDermott,I am more confident,precise and focused, Gurinder told Sportline from Brisbane. The WC challenge would be a litmus test for every team and I think all teams are balanced and would give stiff competitions to each other. As far as the Australian team is concerned,we will have the advantage of playing at the home grounds. Moreover,we have been training extensively for the past eight weeks together as a unit with Greg Chappell and Mc Dermot. But we are going to miss Patrick Cummins (now,the Australian pacer). Gurinder idolises Andrew Flintoff and Brett Lee,and can see himself playing for the senior Australian team soon. He knows Cummins rose to the Australian senior team by shining at the U-19 level: Representing the country in sports is a quite a big deal for me. The feeling is great when I wear the Australian jersey. The WC is going to be crucial for me. I hope to become the leading wicket taker at the end of the tournament,with some runs under my belt,and help Australia clinch the Cup. At this moment,my goal is to have a good WC and then play well for New South Wales in the domestic circuit. If I am able to catch the selectors eyes,I may play for the Australian senior team in the coming time. Australia play their first match against England on August 11 at Townsville. The best thing is that I am bowling in rhythm,I am injury-free and feeling good about my cricket. I just need to go out with all guns blazing during the WC matches. I need to grab the opportunity and perform at the big stage in order to make a mark. My ultimate dream is to wear the baggy green, Gurinder said. It isnt alone Gurinder who is shining for the Sandhus in Australia as his younger brother Harmon,15,is also following in his footsteps and playing for the NSW in the U-16 and U-18 sections.
