Cricket team review: Squads to watch at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2020
The 2020 U-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa will kick-off in just a few days and a lot of potential future superstars from powerhouse teams will take part in this tournament. India will try to defend their crown as the previous season’s winners. Turn to 12BET now as the trusted brand in cricket betting offers you more than you venture!
Sixteen nations from five continents are set to battle on the 13th edition of the tournament starting on 17 January, with South Africa playing host for the first time since 1998. For this edition, the teams have been divided into four groups as follows:
India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Japan (); Australia, England, West Indies, Nigeria (Group B); Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Scotland (Group C); South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, United Arab Emirates (Group D).
Each group has a potential winners and names that will definitely bag wins in the tournament. Here are the top teams (per group) to emerge in the competition and their young talents that will give them the win:
India (Group A)
The reigning champions will enter this new season as the top favorite, boasting powerhouse player like Captain Priyam Garg one of five players already snapped up by IPL franchises during the player auction last month. The batting performances will depend mostly on the likes of Dhruv Jurel (vc, wk) and teen-sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal who went to Rajasthan Royals for INR 2.4 crore (£250,000). They are the key people of the nation to clinch back-to-back wins and become the first side since Pakistan in 2006 to successfully defend the title.
Squad: Priyam Garg (Captain), Dhruv Jurel, Tilak Varma, Divyaansh Saxena, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyansh Joshi, Shashwat Rawat, Shubhang Hegde, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Atharva Ankolekar, Sushant Mishra, Vidyadhar Patil, Kumar Kushagra.
Australia (Group B)
This team remains the second best of India in almost all formats and cricket tournaments. However, with former Test regulars Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris leading the coaching staff, a caliber of talent in this squad might finally beat their ultimate rival. The likes of Melbourne Renegades batsman Mackenzie Harvey as captain and Victoria’s highly-touted Jake Fraser-McGurk fresh from a fine half-century on his recent Sheffield Shield debut might bring them on top at last. Tanveer Sangha is the younger brother of former Australian Under-19 captain Jason Sangha who led his team to the final in the 2018 edition is also a potential star in this squad.
Squad: Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Davies, Mackenzie Harvey, Corey Kelly, Liam Marshall, Lachlan Hearne, Todd Murphy, Patrick Rowe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Bradley Simpson, Connor Sully, Matthew Willans.
Bangladesh (Group C)
With the service of in-form Towhid Hridoy, last year’s first ever player to register centuries in three consecutive Youth ODI contests, the Bangladesh squad is looking great as the he previously finished 2019 with an 82 not out and three back to back tons (123 not out, 115, 111) against Sri Lanka Under-19 to lead Bangladesh to a 4-0 win. Wicket-keeper batsman Akbar Ali will be the captain of the squad, while right-arm off-spinner Shamim Hossain and left-arm orthodox bowler Rakibul Hasan have also been drafted into the squad.
Squad: Akbar Ali (Captain), Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Towhid Hridoy, Avishek Das, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan,Rakibul Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Murad, Prantik Nawrose Nabil, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Shahin.
South Africa (Group D)
Despite being poor form recently, this squad can potentially propel on top given that this tournament will be held on their home soil. Gerald Coetzee with a strike-rate of 205.88 in the 2018 season will be featured again in this squad. His good record and the ability to crank up to 90 miles per hour is an advantage to the hosting squad as they have to reclaim glory at home.
Squad: Bryce Parsons (Captain), Luke Beaufort, Khanya Cotani, Jonathan Bird, Merrick Brett, Gerald Coetzee, Tyrese Karelse, Mondli Khumalo, Achille Cloete, Jack Lees, Andrew Louw, Levert Manje, Odirile Modimokoane, Pheku Moletsane, Tiaan van Vuuren.
The tournament begins on January 17, as hosts South Africa welcome Afghanistan to the Diamond Oval in Kimberley for the opening Group D fixture.
