Cricket Australia has announced a 15-player squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February.
The squad features two players of Indian
heritage (Aryan Sharma and John James), two of Sri Lankan (Naden Cooray and Nitesh Samuel) and one of Chinese Origin (Alex Lee Young).
Australia enters the tournament as defending champions after defeating India in the 2024 edition in South Africa. Meanwhile, left-handed batter Oliver Peake has been appointed captain.
The squad will be led by Head Coach Tim Nielsen, supported by Luke Butterworth and Travis Dean as assistant coaches.
Australia is placed in Group A alongside Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka. The team will arrive in Namibia in early January and play warm-up matches from 9–14 January.
“We’re delighted to announce a strong and well-balanced squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Our focus has been on selecting a group with complementary skill sets that provide the best chance of success in tournament. The players named have impressed with their performances during the U19 series against India in September and at the recent National U19 Championship in Perth," Tim Nielsen, Head Coach Australia Men’s U19, said.
“It’s an exciting group, some have already experienced senior training environments, while others are progressing rapidly through our pathway. The World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for these young cricketers to showcase their talent and test themselves against the best in the world," he added.
Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia Head of National Development, also expressed her excitement about the talent and depth in the squad.
“The squad combines experience with fresh energy, including three new faces who will bring added depth and enthusiasm. This is a fantastic opportunity for these emerging players to showcase their skills on the global stage. Our players will be supported by an exceptional team of staff, ensuring they have every chance to perform and grow throughout the tournament," Thompson said.
Australia Men’s U19 Squad: Oliver Peake (C), Kasey Barton, Naden Cooray, Jayden Draper, Ben Gordon, Steven Hogan, Thomas Hogan, John James, Charles Lachmund, Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Hayden Schiller, Aryan Sharma, William Taylor, Alex Lee Young.
