By Peter Della Penna

Walking around the grounds in Christchurch early this week as well as the Queenstown Events Center on Friday, it was hard to hear anyone giving USA a chance in this ICC U-19 World Cup. “You guys are unlucky. You got drawn in the toughest group,” was a phrase heard early and often, referring to the daunting matchups USA will face in Group B pool play against Australia, South Africa and Ireland.

However, the glass half full mentality that is permeating throughout Team USA’s camp says that despite the odds stacked against them, this is a fantastic opportunity to take on the big boys and show the kind of talent that exists in America.

Pic (Above): Team USA goes through stretches before their final training session ahead of their Group B clash with Australia. [Courtesy: Daniela Zaharia]

“Our main goal is obviously we’re going in to win,” said Shiva Vashishat, USA U-19 captain. “But whether we win or lose, we are trying to show the whole world that US cricket is growing and we want to show that US cricket will be a threat in the future and hopefully we can get some success in this tournament.”

Symbolism in how difficult this tournament will be for Team USA can be found in looking at the distances they traveled to get to the World Cup versus that of their first opponent on Friday, Australia. While the American squad had to fly to San Francisco to then go on a 13-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean to Auckland, Australia’s players required just a short 3-hour trip across the Tasman Sea to reach New Zealand. Still, Team USA is out to prove this is only one of many obstacles that can be overcome in their path to glory and they are not about to back down in Saturday’s fixture.

USA will be taking on a squad that features four players who have state cricket experience, including three who have played first-class cricket: captain Mitchell Marsh and opening bowlers Alister McDermott and Josh Hazlewood. The standard of play that these Aussie teenagers have seized upon is a big advantage preparation-wise heading into the match.

“Definitely the standard that the Shield cricket back home and the one-day stuff and all that is of a very high standard, probably the strongest domestic competition in the world nearly,” said Hazlewood. “It’s developed my cricket. It’s quickly developed over the past couple of months and improved a great deal so I think I’m in good stead for the World Cup.” Hazlewood, who has been compared to Glenn McGrath in the past, says that New South Wales teammate Stuart Clark has been very helpful in giving tips on fine tuning his own line and length bowling.

Marsh and McDermott are two of several players on the squad that are the offspring off some high profile Aussie cricketers and athletes. Marsh’s dad Geoff played 50 Tests as a batsman for Australia while McDermott’s dad Craig took 291 wickets in 70 Tests. Team USA’s best claim to fame is that Regis Burton’s great uncle is Sir Vivian Richards.

Still, there are some positives heading into the match. First is the fact that like USA, Australia went 1-1 in their warm-up games, beating West Indies and losing to Bangladesh. There is also the fact that USA can present a surprise element to Australia based on the fact that at this age level, most teams have hardly seen each other and most information about the opposition is limited.

“We don’t really know much,” said McDermott. “We haven’t really researched much on any of the teams or anything. We’re just gonna go out there to play our best cricket every single game and do the best possible thing we can.”

Seeing the best cricket possible on Saturday would go hand in hand with the backdrop of Queenstown and its international cricket facility, which both sides agree is quite a sight to behold.

“I think it’s a lovely town, very scenic and obviously very touristy as well,” said Hazlewood. “I’m very happy that we got drawn down here and the ground just looks unreal.”

USA’s captain is hoping the scene will provide inspiration to pull off a big upset.

“This is on everyone’s behalf that our whole team thinks this is the most beautiful ground that we’ve ever seen, probably will ever play at,” said Vashishat. “The mountains, the grounds, the environment here, everything is just so beautiful and perfect so we’re gonna try to make the most of this.”