Dandenong opener Kumar Sarna has been selected alongside Panthers team-mate James Pattinson in the Australian team for the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.
By Paul Pickering
TWO Dandenong Panthers will spearhead Australia’s tilt at the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia next month.
Slashing opening batsman Kumar Sarna and emerging all-rounder James Pattinson were named in the 15-man touring party upon the completion of the National Under-19 Championship in Hobart in December.
Sarna and Panthers’ opening partner Brett Forsyth both played crucial roles in Victoria’s unbeaten run towards the national title.
After a scratchy start to the carnival, Sarna expelled any doubts the national selectors may have had with a string of characteristically spectacular knocks at the business end of the round robin tournament.
Meanwhile, Pattinson missed the championships due to injury, but gained selection on the weight of exposed form last year.
New Delhi-born Sarna this week said the honour of representing Australia – as he did on last year’s tour of Pakistan – will again be ‘a great feeling.’
Having already caught the eye of national and state selectors with his trademark flair, Sarna displayed his determination in registering consecutive scores of 77, 65 and 33 in the last three rounds.
“I didn’t have a great start to the tournament,” Sarna admitted.
“But the way I came back to cement my spot in the team (for the World Cup) was really character building.”
Chatting with the focused 19-year-old, it becomes apparent that he prides himself on the ability to bounce back from on-field adversity.
And after the Australians endured a 5-0 whitewash against Pakistan on the September-October tour, coaching staff will be hoping Sarna’s penchant for redemption rubs off on teammates as he assumes a leadership role for the Aussies in Malaysia.
“By winning you learn, but you also learn by losing,” he said of the recent tour.
“The experience the team gained from it was invaluable.
“After the tour our confidence wasn’t down, it was a good build-up for the World Cup.”
And while Sarna believes the World Cup squad is stronger than the side that took the field in Pakistan, he would’ve dearly loved to be joined by his mate Forsyth at the top of the order.
Having capped off an impressive carnival with scores of 99 and 117 in the past two matches, Forsyth can consider himself stiff to have missed out.
In any case, Sarna said it was good fun plundering opposition attacks with his Dandenong teammate.
“I’ve known ‘Forsy’ for four years and we have a great time batting with each other,” he said.
And while a World Cup triumph and a Victorian Bushrangers debut are at the top of Sarna’s New Year wishlist, he is desperate to play a significant role in defending the Panthers’ 2006-07 premiership.
With Sarna, Pattinson and Forsyth all suiting up for Dandenong against St Kilda at Shepley Oval this Saturday, few would back against the resurgent Panthers.
