TWO Yorkshire youngsters have been given the benefit of Alastair Cook's experience as they prepare to head to Australia with England's under-19s.
Jared Warner, a seam bowler from Wakefield, and Mosun Hussain, from Leeds, have both been included in the 15-man squad who will play a four-day "Test" at the famous WACA ground in Perth, as well as five one-day internationals.
It will be the first under-19 Ashes battle in Australia for more than a decade, and the England management, led by former Somerset coach Andy Hurry, recruited Cook to help their preparations during a recent four-day camp at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.
"I think we all found it really useful," said Warner, an 18-year-old who has had to combine his tour preparations with mock A-levels at Silcoates School.
"Obviously Mosun is a batsman but even for me as a bowler it was interesting listening to him talking about his approach to the game and how an international player goes about it.
"We're both really excited about the tour now. It's been in our minds for a while, we've probably been working towards it for a year and a half, and I've got to that point in the winter where I'm bored of training inside and want to get into the game – especially in Australia, and a ground like the WACA.
"I've been playing with Mosun for Yorkshire since under-13s, and also against him at club level, and that will make it a bit easier for both of us spending a month away."
Warner and Hussain will maintain Yorkshire's impressive recent record of national selection at all levels.
"We had seven in the Under-19 World Cup last year," reflected Warner, who was included in the initial 30-man squad for that tournament before missing the final cut. "From then on this has been my target."
"It's been great to spend time with the 19s before they go to Australia," said Cook, who was a prolific run-scorer at this level himself before embarking on his record-breaking senior international career.
"It was interesting for me to see the next generation and see what level they are at. I'm pretty sure we will see a few England players from this group.
"It took me back to when I was an under-19. Eleven or 12 years ago, I was in the same boat, dreaming of playing professional cricket, so it was great to come back."
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