India's youngsters forced to prove age
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eyebrows have been raised, fingers pointed and a few grumbles uttered. However, until now the ages of India's emerging teenage cricketing talent have never been publicly questioned. That is about to change.
Eyebrows have been raised, fingers pointed and a few grumbles uttered. However, until now the ages of India's emerging teenage cricketing talent have never been publicly questioned. That is about to change.
With England's under-19 side ready to take the field in the first of three Tests against their Indian counterparts in Bombay next week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has ordered the home side's squad to undergo a medical exam to verify the ages of all 14 players.
The medical test involves an X-ray of the forearm, which is said to be able to determine precisely the a level of bone development which only occurs beyond the age of 20. Such extreme measures have been decided upon following the discovery that the Haryana Under-19 team won the national youth championship last month with six players over the age limit.
There has also been considerable suspicion surrounding the ages of certain players representing the Rest of India Under-19 in the current match against England in Bombay, with some unsubstantiated reports in India claiming that three Rest of India players are over 19.
The England Under-19 camp have been quick to distance themselves from the controversy.
Their manager, Graham Saville, said: "We are pleased that the Indian board are taking this matter so seriously and we will abide by whatever conclusions they reach. But we are happy to play whatever side is selected for the Test matches because ultimately our players will gain from every experience they have on the field during this tour."
In many developing and Third World countries birth certificates are difficult to attain. Famously, the former, feared world heavyweight boxing champion, the American Sonny Liston, once told police that his real age was 20. Their many records gathered on him over his troubled years suggested he was closer to 22. Liston himself could not be sure. The only record of the true date of his birth (and that of his many siblings) had been carved on a tree in the family's yard - and the tree had since been chopped down.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments