England have not won the U-19 World Cup since 1998, when they defeated New Zealand by seven wickets at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. They will have a chance to end the drought next year in January and February during the 16th edition of the tournament.
Somerset's wicketkeeper-batter Thomas Rew has been appointed captain of the England team. The 18-year-old missed the recent tour of the West Indies, where England Under-19s lost 5-2, due to his involvement with England Lions in Australia.
The
highly rated cricketer made his first-class debut in the Lions' game against Australia A earlier this month, registering scores of 19 and 47, having played for Somerset during the summer while still 17.
Thomas is the younger sibling of James Rew, another wicketkeeper-batter, who was part of the Lions tour - though Thomas was preferred to take the gloves at Allan Border Field. He broke the record for the fastest England U-19s century with a 73-ball blitzkrieg against India in June. James, 21, is currently playing in the International League T20 (ILT20) for the Sharjah Warriorz.
Thomas, on the other hand, has been roped in by Paarl Royals as a temporary replacement for compatriot Dan Lawrence for the start of the fourth season of the SA20. The former will travel to South Africa for a short stint in the T20 tournament before joining his fellow England teammates for the U-19 World Cup, which commences on January 15.
Nottinghamshire off-spinner Farhan Ahmed - younger brother of England leg-spinner Rehan - has been named as Thomas' deputy, having led the side in the Caribbean. The rest of the 15-member squad is mostly the same, with uncapped Leicestershire left-arm spinner Ali Farooq the only new addition for the World Cup.
I really want the players to enjoy the opportunity to play at a World Cup: England U-19 head coach
England U-19 head coach Mike Yardy urged his players to enjoy the opportunity of competing against some great teams and showcasing their skills on the big stage.
"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," Yardy was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
"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. 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," he added.
England Men's Under-19 World Cup squad: Thomas Rew (C), Farhan Ahmed (VC), 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
