Under 19 World Cup Team Guide: Who are England's challengers?
Sky Sports' coverage of the U19 World Cup begins 27th January...
Monday 25 January 2016 07:28, UK
The Under 19 World Cup gets underway in Bangladesh this week, with Sky Sports bringing you live and exclusive coverage.
Who are England's future superstars? And who is their main competition for the title? Find out in our Under 19 World Cup team guide…
ENGLAND
Champions in 1998, England haven't been to a final since, finishing as low as fifth, eighth, and fifth in 2008, 2010 and 2012. But with an encouraging third place finish in 2014, plus an exciting crop of young talent making the trip to Bangladesh, hopes are high.
Surrey's left-armer Sam Curran is a 17-year-old superstar, a revelation in white-ball cricket after only making his debut in 2015, taking 15 wickets over 10 games to fire them to the Royal London One-Day Cup final.
There are also promising 18-year-olds, Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane, and Essex's Daniel Lawrence, who became the third-youngest scorer of a County Championship century when aged 17, hitting 161 against Surrey in only his second first-class game, and the squad also includes Tom Moores, son of former England coach Peter.
MAIN CONTENDERS
India are arguably favourites, led by legendary batsman Rahul Dravid, and having triumphed the joint-most, winning the tournament three times. The name Sarfaraz Khan will be familiar to fans of the Indian Premier League; he hit an unbeaten 45 off just 21 balls in only his second game for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Rajasthan Royals.
Defending champions South Africa can no longer call upon their star man from two years ago, a certain Kagiso Rabada, who took tournament-best figures of 6-25 in a semi-final win over Australia. The now 20-year-old quick is tied up on Test duty against England, and given the Proteas' problems in that series, they'd love to unearth another young gem or two here.
South Africa begin their defence with the opening game against tournament hosts Bangladesh. The Tigers have disappointed in recent years, with a fifth-placed finish 10 years ago not capitalised on, and a highest of only seventh since, but they'll be hopeful that home advantage will contribute to a tournament-best, under the leadership of their highly thought of captain/all-rounder, Mehedi Hasan.
The kids of the Caribbean are arguably England's toughest initial opponents in Group C, but the West Indies are coming off a 3-0 hammering in a warm-up series against Bangladesh. Look out for pacer Alzarri Joseph, who is one of only two in the team with first-class experience, taking an impressive 17 wickets in five matches so far, with a best of 7-46.
Back-to-back winners in 2004 - when the tournament was last held in Bangladesh - and 2006, Pakistan have choked in their two finals since, including defeat to South Africa two years ago after bettering England in the semi-final.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have the poorest pedigree of the top dogs, having only one losing final appearance apiece to their names, in 1998 - against England - and 2000 respectively. They also finished a lowly 10th and eighth respectively two years ago. Still, two years on, and with a new intake of youngsters travelling, don't write them off.
HOME NATIONS
Ireland have taken the place of Australia after the three-time winners pulled out due to security concerns, and include three sets of brothers in their squad of 15. Captain Jack Tector and vice-captain Lorcan Tucker are joined by younger brothers Harry and Fiachra, plus there's twins Gary and William McClintock. Scotland - who booked their place in the tournament after winning the originally solitary European slot during the Under-19 qualifiers in Jersey - have to dodge defending champs South Africa and tournament hosts Bangladesh in a tricky Group A.
THE OTHERS
Zimbabwe are another of England's opponents in Group C, while Afghanistan, as always, are an intriguing watch after a seventh placed finish two years ago where they beat Sri Lanka, who are in Group B with them. More familiar associate countries, Namibia, Nepal, and Canada, compete in their eighth, seventh and fifth Under-19 World Cups respectively, while first-timers Fiji complete England's group, and are their first game on the 27th January.
Live ICC Under-19s World Cup Cricket
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news, scores and reaction from the Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh on skysports.com/cricket.
