High hopes for Australia & England as ICC U19 CWC returns to New Zealand

The ICC U19 CWC is being hosted in New Zealand for the first time since 2010 and that might well be music to the ears of Australian and English fans.

The Aussies, who already have plenty to shout about following their senior side’s comprehensive series-win in the Ashes down under, can also look to three previous U19 CWC title wins, the last of which was just over the Tasman in 2010.

Back then, future international across all three forms Mitchell Marsh led the Australians to victory in the final against Pakistan – a repeat of the 1988 final. Josh Hazlewood was Man of the Match for his 4-30, while Nic Maddinson, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson also featured in the tournament.

The class of 2018, led by Jason Sangha (who recently became the youngest player since Sachin Tendulkar to make a first-class century against England) are keen to take their country’s tally of ICC U19 CWC titles to four. Sangha said: “This team is extremely strong, everyone’s got a lot of experience, and the ultimate goal is to win that World Cup and bring it to Australia.” Watch out.

England, meanwhile, had less success in the tournament itself back in 2010 – losing out in the quarter-finals to a West Indies team featuring Kraigg Brathwaite, Shane Dowrich, Jermaine Blackwood and future captain Jason Holder. But that New Zealand trip did unearth three of the biggest stars of their current team.

Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes all featured in the campaign, with perhaps the standout memory the 88-ball 100 scored by Ben Stokes against India at Lincoln.

Root has gone on to be rated as one of the top five Test batsmen in the world, captaining his country in that format, while Jos Buttler is one of the world’s most feared hitters in ODIs and T20s. He is also England’s vice-captain across both limited-overs formats.

English fans – however gloomy they may feel about events in Australia – can always hope that the likes of captain Harry Brook, all-rounder Will Jacks or batsman Savin Perera will go on to worldwide recognition like those who went before them in attempting to win the ICC U19 CWC in New Zealand. If they do manage to win the tournament, it would be the first time since 1998 and only the second instance overall.

The ICC U19 CWC gets underway on Saturday 13 January.