Stage set for youth World Cup

Defending champion India, with four titles under its belt, may be the overwhelming favourite in Group A, but Group B looks tough with three giants clubbed together,

Australia, England and West Indies have been drawn together for the first stage of South Africa 2020 but at least one of the three cricket powerhouses will miss out on progression.

The three nations – whose senior sides have all won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – certainly have a tough test in store but it doesn’t stop there, with Nigeria aiming for a big scalp on their U-19 World Cup debut. All Group B fixtures will take place at Kimberley, with West Indies the next challenge for Nigeria on January 23 before rounding off the opening stage against England at Diamond Oval.

Winners of the Youth Cricket World Cup more than 30 years ago, Australia took the honour of becoming the first double champion when it prevailed in New Zealand in 2002. Eight years later it triumphed again – also in New Zealand – while it heads to South Africa with a score to settle after finishing runner-up back in 2018.

West Indies has three players that featured in the 2018 edition, with captain Kimani Melius, Ashmead Nedd and Nyeem Young all returning for a second tournament. “Leading the team, I will go about the job with a high level of integrity and respect,” said Melius. “I would like to share my experience of 2018 and lead the way with the batting, doing what I can do win matches for the team. Led by George Balderson, England will be confident of a strong showing in South Africa – the location of its maiden, and so far only, U-19 World Cup title in 1998. The legends of old have moved on but the expectations have remained, with England failing to reach the final since lifting the trophy two decades ago.

India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are clubbed together in Group B. The Black Caps underachieved on home soil in 2018, finishing eighth, and will be looking to bounce back from recent series defeats to Bangladesh (4-1) and Australia (3-0).

Sri Lanka will aim to be in a thorn in the side of their Group A rivals and will be out to recreate their feats of 2016 that saw them reach the semi-finals in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will look to bring its fine form over recent years to the big stage in Group C. It will be led by captain Akbar Ali who has already declared his side can not only progress from a group containing Pakistan, Scotland and Zimbabwe but also go on to win the entire tournament.

Pakistan will be without Test international Naseem Shah, but it won’t be short of talent, with Qasim Akram and Aamir Ali two stars of the future to watch out for. Topping the averages in his country’s one-day youth competition last year, Akram’s batting will be something to behold in South Africa – while his right-arm off-break bowling is set to be a handy tool in the tournament, too. South Africa is strong favourite for Group D and will be aiming for its second title after reigning supreme in 2014.