Robinson revels in U19 role

Coach Mark Robinson has revealed he is lapping up “being back on the shop floor” as he prepares England Under-19s for the ICC World Cup in New Zealand.

Robinson, whose usual duties see him take charge of domestic one-day heavyweights Sussex, is enjoying a stint at the helm of the age-group side having been handed the reigns from Mick Newell, who oversaw the recent tour to Bangladesh.

Robinson has been familiarising himself with the squad at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough as they prepare for the U19 World Cup, which begins on January 11.

“I’m very much looking forward to the trip,” Robinson told ECBtv on the day the squad for the tournament was finalised.

“I’m really excited to go to an international event and to go to a place like New Zealand and the World Cup is brilliant.

“It’s been quite nice being back on the shop floor here with young lads who have different experiences at the moment. Some are a little naive more than others and some are more experienced."

Robinson admits one of his most enjoyable challenges lies in the opportunity to be involved at the sharp end with players at a stage in their development he has been unaccustomed to for quite a while.

Ateeq Javid sweeps for England Under-19s in a one-day international in Fatullah, a rare victory duuring their tour of Bangladesh earlier this winter © Bangladesh Cricket Board

He explained: “Sometimes in my role now [with Sussex], what you do is you end up managing people and managing expectations and time and events more than actually coaching. It’s great to be a coach again.”

Robinson also gave an insight into how he intends to pass his wealth of knowledge and experience to a squad that recently endured a chastening experience on their tour to Bangladesh.

England lost the one-off Test in a close encounter in Chittagong, and lost the ODI series 5-2.

“The basics are the basics, although sometimes you realise how old you are and how old they are!

"But the game is very simple so it’s just about making sure the players have got a good awareness of what they are going in to and also a good awareness of what they are going to need in the future.

“I’ve got a snapshot now [of the squad]. I know the players have varying degrees of knowledge and experience but lots and lots of potential.

“One of goals for myself is to make the players aware of the skills and what they are going to need in the future if their careers are going to go further.

“The other goal is to win the tournament in New Zealand. That’s the big goal for us all and that’s the agenda for everyone.”