In recent decades, the popularity of cricket has grown several folds, and the cricketers have gone on to become cosmopolitan. Competition within the domestic circuit in top-cricket nations is an ever-growing phenomenon.
Hence, making a mark at the U19 level does not ensure success with the senior national side. Many devote their entire career-span for guaranteeing a berth in the international team, but very few fortunate ones make the cut.
Therefore, there have been several instances where cricketers decided to migrate in search of greener pastures, and better opportunities, ending up playing for different teams at U19 and international level.
Today, let’s have a look at five such cricketers:
1. Craig Kieswetter
Kieswetter was one of the most explosive wicket-keeper batsman produced by England whose career was unfortunately curtailed due to a mishap while keeping. The Somerset swashbuckler represented the England team in 46 ODIs and 25 T20Is before the freak injury cut his career short.
He received a brutal blow to the eye with one of the dislodged bails while keeping to David Willey. Before making his debut with the England side in the 2010 T20 World Cup in West Indies, he was part of the South African team which took part in the 2006 U19 World Cup.
Kieswetter compiled 222 runs in the 2010 T20 World Cup and also played a crucial role in their win in the finals of the tournament against Australia, where he smashed a quickfire 63.
2. Tim Murtagh
One of the constants in the Ireland cricket, Tim Murtagh, made his debut back in 2012. Since then, he has represented the shamrock greens in all formats of the game. The 38-year old has represented Ireland in 58 ODIs, 14 T20Is and three Test matches.
Moreover, not many are aware that the pacer was part of the England team which took part in the 2000 U19 World Cup. He is one of the many players who made to and fro journeys from the England and Ireland national team.
3. Grant Elliot
Many remember Grant Elliot for knocking out South Africa from the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-finals at Auckland. After making his international debut in 2008, the Johannesburg-born represented the Black Caps in 5 Tests, 83 ODIs and 17 T20Is.
Interestingly, his match-winning knock came against the same team for whom he represented in the 1998 U19 World Cup. In 2016, Elliot decided to announce his retirement from the game of cricket.
4. Colin de Grandhomme
The hard-hitting seam-bowling all-rounder, De Grandhomme is one of the regulars for New Zealand in all forms of the game.
However, De Grandhomme represented the Zimbabwe national team in the 2004 U19 World Cup, before he made his debut for New Zealand in 2012 against Zimbabwe.
The Harare-born cricketer, thus far, represented the Black Caps in as many as 24 Tests, 42 ODIs and 36 T20Is.
5. Imran Tahir
Renowned for his jubilant celebrations after taking a wicket, Tahir enjoyed a successful career with the South African team in white-ball cricket.
However, not many know that Tahir’s early cricketing days were spent in Pakistan as he featured in the U19 World Cup in 1998.
The leggie then decided to make a move to South Africa for breaking through at the international level as he could not find a spot for himself in the senior Pakistan side.
After migrating to Jo’Burg in 2005, Tahir finally went on to receive his maiden international cap in 2011 with the Proteas. Since then, he has picked up 173 ODI and 63 T20I wickets in white-ball cricket.
