The ICC Men’s Under 19 World Cup commences in South Africa tomorrow when the host nation takes on the West Indies in Potchefstroom.
Australia begin their campaign on Monday, Jan. 22 against Namibia in Kimberley with their other Group C games against Zimbabwe (Jan. 25) and Sri Lanka (Jan. 28) at the same venue.
Under the new conditions for the 15th edition of the 50 over tournament, the top three teams from four groups will qualify for the Super Six stage. The top two teams from both groups in that stage will then proceed to the semi-finals.
The Australian squad was picked following the 2023 Under 19 Male National Championships in November/December. Queensland’s Hugh Weibgen has been named captain.
Australia’s squad will be coached by Anthony Clark who led the Under 19 squad on recent tours of England and Sri Lanka.
Australian men’s U19 coach Anthony Clark said:
“Our preparation has been really solid. Unfortunately, rain affected our first practice game but our bowlers were really impressive bowling India out for 172.
“We had a final practice game against Bangladesh and will have a few more training sessions before we enter the tournament proper.
“The group stage games against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia will be a good challenge that will provide plenty of learning chances for the squad.
“I'm confident we can do the things we do well, play to our strengths and that we will be tough to beat.”
Australia Under 19 World Cup Squad
Hugh Weibgen (c) (QLD - Valley District Cricket Club)
Lachlan Aitken (QLD - Gold Coast District Cricket Club)
Charlie Anderson (NSW - Northern District Cricket Club)
Harkirat Bajwa (VIC - Melbourne Cricket Club)
Mahli Beardman (WA - Melville Cricket Club)
Tom Campbell (QLD - Western Suburbs District Cricket Club)
Harry Dixon (VIC - St Kilda Cricket Club)
Ryan Hicks (NSW - Mosman Cricket Club)
Sam Konstas (NSW - Sutherland Cricket Club)
Rafael MacMillan (NSW - St George District Cricket Club)
Aidan O’Connor (TAS - Greater Northern Raiders)
Harjas Singh (NSW - Western Suburbs Cricket Club)
Tom Straker (NSW - Sutherland District Cricket Club)
Callum Vidler (QLD - Valley District Cricket Club)
Corey Wasley (WA - Rockingham-Mandurah Cricket Club)
Non-travelling reserve players
Xander Buxton (VIC - Melbourne Cricket Club)
Cameron Frendo (NSW - Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club)
Ollie Peake (VIC - Geelong Cricket Club)
Cody Reynolds (QLD - Gold Coast District Cricket Club)