Advertisement
Advertisement
LONDON: Wicket-keeper Thomas Rew is set to lead the 15-member England side for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026, which is set to be hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Somerset batter Rew has recently been involved in the England Lions tour of Australia and has been handed the responsibility of leading the side, while Farhan Ahmed, who previously led the side against West Indies U19 in the Youth ODI series, is named as his deputy.
Among the notable inclusions is left-arm spinner Ali Farooq, who is included in the squad for the first time.
Following the announcement, head coach Michael Yardy expressed confidence in the side’s ability to do something special.
“This is an amazing opportunity for the players we have selected to not only wear an England shirt at a World Cup but also to go out and try and do something special,” he said.
“We have a balanced squad with a core group of players who already have county experience and who have developed a camaraderie while playing together for the U19s that will serve them well during the tournament,” he added.
He backed players to shine and show their real gameplay in the World Cup.
“I really want the players to enjoy the opportunity to play at a World Cup, in a beautiful country like Zimbabwe, and to embrace the chance to compete against different countries and show their quality,” Yardy concluded.
For the unversed, the 16th edition of the event will be held from 15 January to 6 February 2026.
The tournament will continue with its familiar format: 16 teams, four groups, 41 matches, and a Super Six stage leading into semi-finals and a final.
The sides will begin arriving on 8 January for warm-ups scheduled from 9–14 January while England will play their opening match against Pakistan in Harare on Friday, 16 January.
Thomas Rew (c), Farhan Ahmed, Ralphie Albert, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Isaac Mohammed, Joe Moores, Sebastian Morgan.
READ: Ali Raza credits Sarfaraz’s ‘instrumental leadership’ in Asia Cup triumph
