The upcoming months promise to be an exciting and demanding period for the CH U19 National Team, as the squad gears up for a packed calendar filled with training, competitive fixtures, and international exposure. With the ICC U19 World Cup Division 2 qualifiers on the horizon, every session and match will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s performance and cohesion.
Building the Foundation
The journey began indoors on 28 February at St Jakobhalle in Basel and outdoors on 13 March in Embrach, where the U19 squad participated in full-day intensive training sessions.
On 21 March at St Jakobhalle, the focus shifted back indoors, with a specialized training session dedicated to fielding and tactical awareness—an essential component in modern cricket.
International Tour in Italy
From 3 to 6 April, the entire squad travels to Padova, Italy, for a crucial overseas tour. This tour includes:
- T20 matches on 3 and 6 April against local Italian teams
- 50-over matches on 4 and 5 April against Italy U19
These fixtures will provide valuable match experience in varied conditions and offer early insight into the team’s competitive readiness.
Domestic Campaign & Youth League Fixtures
Following the Italy tour, the squad returns to Switzerland for a series of matches in the Cricket Switzerland Youth League (CSYL) and other competitive fixtures:
- 12 April (Embrach) – vs Embrach Nomads Academy U19 (50-over, CSYL)
- 26 April (Prévessins, CERN) – vs CERN Senior Men (50-over)
- 1 May (Embrach) – vs Basel Dragons B (50-over, CSYL)
- 14 May (Embrach) – vs Zurich Crickets U19 (50-over, CSYL)
These matches will test consistency and provide opportunities to refine match strategies.
Intensive Training Camp in May
From 15 to 17 May, the team will take part in a focused training camp at Bachgraben:
- 15 May – vs Basel Dragons A (50-over, CSYL)
- 16 May – vs Basel CC (50-over)
- 17 May – Skills training in the nets and team-building activities
This camp is designed to strengthen team chemistry while sharpening technical and tactical skills.
Continued Competitive Fixtures
The team’s momentum continues with a series of fixtures across Switzerland:
- 24 May (Onex, Geneva) – vs Geneva XI U19 (50-over, CSYL)
- 14 June (Prévessins, CERN) – vs CERN Senior Men (50-over)
- 28 June (Embrach) – vs Swiss Afghans U19 (50-over, CSYL)
- 4 July (Cossonay) – vs Cossonay Senior Men (50-over)
- 11 July (Cossonay) – vs Cossonay Juniors U19 (50-over, CSYL)
Each match will be vital in fine-tuning performance ahead of the international stage.
Final Preparations & International Challenge
Before departing for the UK, the team is planning additional training sessions or friendly matches against either the senior national team or youth national sides. These final preparations will ensure the squad is fully ready for the challenges ahead.
From 17 to 21 July, the team will attend a preparatory camp in Jersey, featuring matches against Sweden and Jersey—an important step in acclimatizing to international competition.
ICC U19 World Cup Qualifiers
The highlight of the season arrives between 22 July and 1 August in Guernsey, where the CH U19 team will compete in the ICC U19 World Cup Division 2 qualifiers. With a minimum of seven 50-over matches scheduled, this tournament represents the culmination of months of preparation, dedication, and hard work.
Looking Ahead
While the current schedule runs through early August, plans for the remainder of the summer are still to be finalized. Additional fixtures or development opportunities may be introduced following the qualifiers.
This comprehensive schedule reflects a well-structured pathway for the CH U19 National Team, balancing skill development, competitive exposure, and international experience. With strong preparation and commitment, the team will be aiming to make a significant impact on the road to World Cup qualification.
