KUALA LUMPUR — The national Under-19 women’s cricket team is ready to approach the upcoming Women’s Under-19 World Cup with an Australian touch under the guidance of Job Van Bunge.
The Dutchman, who was brought in by the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) on a one-year contract last year, hails from a country not typically known for cricket but earned his coaching qualifications in Australia.
Speaking to the media, MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim believes that the Australian system and playing style, which Van Bunge has introduced, are essential for improving the landscape of the Malaysian national teams over the next five years.
“The Australian system is one of the best in the world, and we, as a governing body, obviously want to provide the best for our players. Hence, we firmly believe that coach Van Bunge is the right person for the job, especially considering the changes he has brought to the team.
“To see the team reach its full potential is not going to happen overnight; it will take at least four to five years to get the best out of the system that the coach has implemented.
“We strongly believe that Van Bunge will bring out the best in the players at this year’s World Cup, and I can guarantee that we will one day become one of the best teams in the Commonwealth under his guidance,” said Iqbal during a press conference today.
With a relatively young team, including eight 17-year-olds, Malaysia’s participation in the upcoming Under-19 Women’s World Cup is seen as preparation for the 2028 and 2032 Olympics. Cricket will return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 and will also feature in the 2032 Brisbane Games. It previously made a single appearance in the 1900 Olympics.
The Malaysian team, consisting of eight players – Nur Izzatul Syafiqa Fajrol’As, Irdina Beh Nabil, Nuriman Hidayah Halid, Nur Isma Dania Mohd Daniel, Nur Ain Roslan, Nuranis Syahira Abdullah, Khairul Elismalia Imalin Arshad, and Nur Nabilah Mohd Zaid – is currently in the midst of their SPM examinations.
“The Education Ministry will have officers at the Bayuemas venue, as some of the girls will sit for their exams after playing in our matches,” Iqbal added.
“It won’t be easy for them, but I admire their determination and courage to play in the World Cup during such an important period in their school life.”
Meanwhile, the Under-19 World Cup will be held at four venues – Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Klang, Selangor (Group A), Johor Cricket Academy Oval, officially known as the Datuk Dr. Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy and Oval in Johor Bahru (Group B), Sarawak Sports Complex in Kuching (Group C), and the UKM Oval, within the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia campus in Bangi, Selangor (Group D) – from January 18 to February 2.
At the same time, England heads Group B, which also includes Pakistan, Ireland, and the United States. New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and Samoa are in Group C, while Group D consists of Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Scotland. – January 14, 2025