Sports Bulletin

SB News ISLAMABAD:-Group A rivals India and Sri Lanka claimed contrasting wins on the opening day of warm-up action ahead of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa. Kartik Tyagi took a hat-trick in the opening over to see reigning champions India past Afghanistan by 211 runs, while Sri Lanka’s mettle was tested in a tight 15-run win over South Africa. Nigeria, making their first appearance in an ICC tournament, were beaten by Pakistan while England’s clash with Zimbabwe was abandoned. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karthik Tyagi starred with bat and ball as India opened their campaign to defend the U19 Cricket World Cup title with a thumping win over Afghanistan in Pretoria. Having won the toss and elected to bat first, India put on 255 for eight off their allotted 50 overs, aided by a 129-run second wicket partnership between Jaiswal (69) and Tilak Varma (55). Both batsmen retired out soon after to give batting practice for their team-mates, with cameo performances from captain Priyam Garg (36) and Shubhan Krishnan Sridhar (25*). The Afghanistan bowling duo of Abid Mohammadi (three for 19) and Fazal Haq (two for 48) played their part in slowing down the onslaught and kept the required run rate to below six runs an over. However fast bowler Tyagi (three for 10) tore in to the Afghanistan top order with a hat-trick in the first over that dismissed captain Farhan Zakhil, Sediq Atal and Rahmanullah without a score on the board. Sridhar, Utkarsh Singh and Sushant Mishra went on to pick up two wickets apiece as Afghanistan were reeling at 43 for nine after 17.3 overs before a rain delay, and with wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq the only player to register double figures. Ishaq was run out two balls after the break as India went on to record a resounding result. Afghanistan will begin their tournament against hosts South Africa in Group D in Kimberley on Friday. The four-time champions, meanwhile, open their campaign against Sri Lanka in Potchefstroom on Saturday. Sri Lanka clinched a thrilling 15-run victory over South Africa in the teams’ opening warm-up assignments in Soweto. After winning the toss and batting first, Sri Lanka’s Navod Paranavithana played an anchoring role as regular wickets fell around him. The opener smashed an impressive 12 fours and a six during his 64-ball 68, getting his side past the 100-run mark before falling in the 24th over. Despite a below-par return from most of the Sri Lankan batters, there were crucial contributions from the lower order with Mohamed Shamaaz (32) adding valuable runs to the total as they posted 197 all out with eight balls to spare. In reply, South Africa’s openers set the ideal foundation, as Andrew Louw (15) and Jonathan Bird combined for a 48-run partnership for the first wicket. Although the Sri Lankan bowlers managed to take wickets at regular intervals, Bird continued his dominance, scoring eight fours and one six for his 71 off 76 balls. This was before a spell of 11 overs where South Africa lost five wickets for 39 runs and despite a valiant 46 from all-rounder Jack Lees, the junior Proteas were bowled out for 182. Amshi De Silva’s 2 wickets for 30 runs led the charge for Sri Lanka, with six bowlers taking one wicket. Pakistan power past Nigeria Pakistan eased to a nine-wicket victory over Nigeria in their warm-up meeting at Hammanskraal. Chasing a modest 110 to win, the 2004 and 2006 champions reached their target in 14.3 overs aided by a destructive 87 off 38 balls from opener Haider Ali. Ali's innings contained eight boundaries and four sixes before retiring out. Mohammad Haris (18*) and Fahad Munir (14*) saw their team home to complete a convincing performance. Despite winning the toss and electing to bat first, Nigeria struggled as they were hustled out for 109 with nearly 14 overs left remaining from their innings. Sulaimon Runsewe (29) and Simon Mba (20) top scored for the West Africans, with no other batsman managing double figures in a fixture played under murky skies. The Pakistani bowling, led by Aamir Ali (three for 12), was equally destructive with Abbas Afridi and Qasim Akram also claiming two wickets apiece. Pakistan, coached by former Test batting stalwart Ijaz Ahmed, will be in Group C where they will start the tournament against Scotland on Sunday. This is a first tournament appearance for the Nigerians, who begin their Group B campaign against Australia in Kimberley next Monday. England and Zimbabwe frustrated by rain England and Zimbabwe saw their warm-up match rained off on Sunday as persistent showers hit the JC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria. Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bat first but were in trouble after an excellent opening burst by George Balderson. He took three for 16 on four overs, including a wicket with the sixth ball of the match. There were also three wickets for Scott Currie, who ended with figures of three for 30. His haul included the scalp of the dangerous Wesley Madhevere.  The only resistance for Zimbabwe came from Tadiwanashe Marumani, who compiled 53 off 75 balls, including one six and five fours. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for just 116, in 31.5 overs. With England poised to chase and confirm their credentials as one of the tournament contenders, a Highveld storm curtailed proceedings, and the match was eventually abandoned, with England on one without loss after just a single over. Scores in Brief Sri Lanka Under 19s beat South Africa Under 19s by 15 runs, Braamfischer Oval, Soweto Sri Lanka 197 all out, 48.4 overs (Navod Paranavithana 68; Merrick Brett 2-30) South Africa 182 all out, 44.1 overs (Jonathan Bird 71, Jack Lees 46; Amshi de Silva 2-30) Scorecard Zimbabwe Under 19s vs England Under 19s – match abandoned, LC de Villiers Oval, Pretoria Zimbabwe 116 all out, 31.5 overs (Tadiwanashe Marumani 53; George Balderson 3-16, Scott Currie 2-30) England 1-0, 1 over Scorecard Pakistan Under 19s beat Nigeria Under 19s by nine wickets, Mandela Oval, Hammanskraal Nigeria 109 all out, 36.2 overs (Sulaimon Runsewe 29; Amir Ali 3-12, Abbas Afridi 2-12) Pakistan 110-1, 14.3 overs (Haider Ali 70 ret, Peter Aho 0-30) Scorecard India Under 19s beat Afghanistan Under 19s by 211 runs, Irene County Club, Pretoria India 255-8, 50 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 69, Tilak Varma 55 ret; Fazal Haq 2-48) Afghanistan 44 all out, 17.5 overs (Mohammad Ishaq 11; Kartik Tyagi 3-10, Sushant Mishra 2-11) Scorecard

SB News ISLMABAD (January 12, 2020):-I’m now really excited for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup to begin – and I’ve got a good idea of the players to look out for during the tournament. There are a few young players who have been going around and doing very well for themselves recently. I think South Africa have got some exciting young players – a lot of them have done very well and are ready to represent the country on the big stage. Jonathan Bird is definitely one of the greatest young players in South Africa currently. He grew up in a very good school, and has been doing well over the past couple of years. There’s also Gerald Coetzee who’s a good all-rounder – he’s been involved in franchise cricket recently for Jozi Stars, which has really been able to benefit him as well as being part of the national setup. Khanya Cotani is another young fellow who is doing very well, and he’s obviously the South Africa vice-captain – he’s the type of player who I’m really excited to see. As the host nation, South Africa don’t want to be in a position where they get knocked out in the group stages or get to the quarter-finals and get beaten. If they can do well and get to the final, it will make a massive difference for those youngsters. In terms of other nations, I’ve watched the India team in training and I look at those young fellows and how well they conduct themselves – it’s almost like they are in the tournament already and their tournament mindset has already kicked in. It was one of the greatest things seeing those youngsters training and putting themselves together – they were playing the game so well, and it was almost like I was watching the Indian senior team as they looked very slick. I think the thing with the whole Indian squad is that they have already been part of the Indian system – they have certain players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kartik Tyagi and Akash Singh who are set to play in the IPL. They have already been groomed to represent India as a nation when they grow older. Pakistan, too, have a lot of exciting players and I’m looking forward to seeing how Rohail Nazir performs with the bat. As captain of his country, there will be some pressure on his shoulders but at 18, he’s already shown himself to be a very strong player and a leader too, both in the field and with the bat. Rohail has already played first-class and List A cricket and was on a good run of form late in 2019, so it’ll be exciting to see how he goes against some world-class bowlers. England will also be an exciting team to watch, and a lot of their players already have a lot of experience in the domestic game. Ben Charlesworth is one of them, introduced to the first XI at just 17 and it’s big-match experience which will prove so important for players and teams. He helped Gloucestershire win promotion in England so he knows what it takes to win, and his batting is supported with some part-time bowling as well which could come in handy as the tournament goes on. As a batsman, Jordan Cox fits a similar bill – he’s played with and against some of the best players in the world in the English T20 competition, and he’ll have learnt so much just by being on the same pitch. Cox is in some good form as well, scoring big against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh late last year so he should go to South Africa with confidence – he’s playing players he’s faced before and he’s shown he can do it, it’s just about transferring his talent to the big stage. That’s the challenge for all the players in the coming weeks. They’ve shown they can do it, they wouldn’t be in their squads otherwise, but now it’s about converting their talent into temperament with the pressure on. Whoever does that the best will have a strong chance of inspiring their country to a victory.

SB News KARACHI (January 12, 2020):-PCB Dynamites, on the back of Omaima Sohail’s unbeaten half-century, secured their first win in the ongoing National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship as they defeated PCB Blasters by seven wickets at Karachi’s National Stadium on Sunday. Omaima scored a superb 44-ball 53 not out which helped Dynamites to chase down the 147-run target with two balls spare. The right-handed batter smashed five fours and a six and was named player of the match. After Dynamites lost openers Nahida Khan (19) and Sidra Amin (11), Omaima crafted a solid 57-run stand for the third wicket with Kainat Hafeez. Kainat scored 39 runs from 28 balls and hit six fours, while Iram Javed, with 20 off 18, was the other notable run-getter in Dynamites’ successful pursuit. Earlier, a 92-run second-wicket partnership between Javeria Khan and Javeria Rauf helped Blasters to 146 for six in 20 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat. Javeria Khan scored 43 runs from 39 balls, hitting six fours, while Javeria Rauf made 38 off 33 balls and cracked four fours. Dynamites’ Sana Mir was the pick of the bowlers as she took two wickets for 19 runs in four overs. Batting at six, wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz scored an unbeaten 20 off 12, which was studded with three fours. In the fifth match of the tournament, PCB Challengers will play PCB Blasters on Monday at the National Stadium. The two teams came face to face in the second match, which Blasters won by 12 runs. Scores in brief: PCB Blasters 146-6, 2o overs (Javeria Khan 43, Javeria Rauf 38, Sidra Nawaz 20 not out; Sana Mir 2-19) PCB Dynamites 150-3, 19.4 overs (Omaima Sohail 53 not out, Kainat Hafeez 39, Iram Javed 20 not out) Result PCB Dynamites won by seven wickets

SB News KARACHI (January 11, 2020):-Opener Muneeba Ali scored a superb 108 to help PCB Challengers to a 42-run win over PCB Dynamites in the third match of the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship at Karachi’s National Stadium on Saturday. The left-handed batter struck 17 fours and a six in 69 balls after Challengers’ captain Bismah Maroof elected to bat after winning the toss. Over the course of her innings, Muneeba stitched a profound 118-run stand for the second wicket with her captain helping Challengers to post a daunting 182 for three in 20 overs. Bismah scored 32 off 31, hitting one four and one six, while all-rounder Nida Dar smashed a quickfire 14-ball 29 not out, studded with four fours and a six. The only bowler to pick up a wicket in Challengers’ innings was Sana Mir, who returned one for 44 in four overs, as Ayesha Zafar (three) and Muneeba were run-out. Left-arm orthodox Sadiq Iqbal took three wickets for 20 runs in three overs in Dynamites’ reply which restricted the Nahida Khan-led unit to 140 for five in 20 overs. With a 30-ball 38, which included four fours and a six, Iram Javed was the highest scorer for Dynamites, while Nahida and Kainat Hafeez scored 36 and 26 respectively. Challengers’ Saba Nazir and Nida Dar were the other wicket-takers as both spinners took a wicket each. For her match-winning knock, Muneeba bagged the player of the match award. The fourth match of the tournament will be played between PCB Dynamites and PCB Blasters on Sunday. Blasters have won their both matches, to date, while Dynamites are yet to open their account. Scores in brief: PCB Challengers 182-3, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 108, Bismah Maroof 32, Nida Dar 29 not out) PCB Dynamites 140-5, 20 overs (Iram Javed 38, Nahida Khan 36, Kainat Hafeez 26; Sadia Iqbal 3-20) Result PCB Challengers beat PCB Dynamites by 42 runs  

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 10, 2020):-Islamabad Club Twenty-20 Cricket Tournament will be commenced from Saturday at Islamabad Club cricket ground, as the final will be played on March 8, 2020 at same venue. On Saturday evening, in a ceremony, secretary Islamabad Club Mirza Shaharyar unveiled the trophy and announced the details of the tournament. Six teams will take part in the tournament, as each team will comprise 14 players. On this occasion, the captains of all teams received team kits from the chief guest Mirza Shaharyar.      

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 10, 2020):-Pakistan national men’s team extended best wishes to the Under-19 side upon their departure to South Africa for the participation in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The senior players hoped that the side will stretch its last year’s form into the World Cup and advised the players to make the most of the platform to make an impression and graduate to the apex level. Babar Azam, the current Pakistan T20I captain who played the ICC U19 World Cup in 2010 and 2012, said: “I wish all the best to the U19 team. My message for them is to do well, like they have been doing recently. Help each other and believe in your teammates’ abilities. “Our batsmen and bowlers are in good shape and after having played in South Africa, I would suggest the batsmen to stay upright while batting. “Enjoy this opportunity and put your heart in it as it will enhance your performances.” Azhar Ali, the current Pakistan Test captain who played the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2002, said: “I wish all the best to this team and advise them to stick together as a unit and play fearless cricket. “Playing the U19 W0rld Cup gives you a flavour of international cricket as the matches are televised and the players get to experience the pressure of international cricket. This is a great opportunity for these cricketers to learn, which will certainly help them when they graduate to the senior team. “Rohail Nazir and Haider Ali have done well at the U19 level and they have impressed at the first-class level. When a player performs at the first-class level, it lifts his morale. If these two are able to stretch that form in the World Cup, the team will benefit immensely. “These guys have done well on the previous tours and I am very hopeful of positive results in the World Cup.” Naseem Shah, the recent graduate to the senior men’s side from U19 team, said: “I was recently playing with this side and I am hopeful that they are going to do well in the tournament. They are gelled very well and have good combinations, which will help them excel in the World Cup. “I wish good luck to Rohail Nazir and his team.” Shaheen Shah, who played the previous edition of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, said: “The way this team played in South Africa and won, I am hopeful that the U19 team will win the World Cup. “U19 cricket grooms a cricketer. It happened with me as after the last World Cup, in which I was the highest wicket-taker [for Pakistan], I was picked up for the PSL and subsequently called-up for the senior side. “This is a very good side and I wish them all the best. I have played with Rohail Nazir and Aarish Ali and I know they are very good players.” Fakhar Zaman, who played U19 domestic cricket said: “Pakistan have a very good record at the U19 level and I am sure this team will do very well in the tournament. “U19 level is very important for a player and such international tours help a great deal in the development of the players as they provide crucial opportunities to rub shoulders with the best cricketers.“I have played domestic cricket with these players and they all are very talented and have proved themselves.” Mohammad Hasnain, former Pakistan U19 player, said: “I wish all the best to the team and hope that they will do well. U19 cricket is a very important phase in the development as it teaches you the basics which help in graduating to the next level. “My message to the team is to work hard and eye a spot in the national side.” The Rohail Nazir-led side begin their ICC U19 World Cup 2020 campaign on 19 January against Scotland U19. They will play Zimbabwe U19 and Bangladesh U19 on 22 and 24 January respectively in the group-stage. Pakistan ICC U19 Cricket World Cup squad: Rohail Nazir (captain and wicketkeeper), Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), - Amir Ali (Larkana), Amir Khan (Peshawar), Arish Ali Khan (Karachi), Fahad Munir (Lahore),  Haider Ali (vice-captain), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Irfan Khan (Lahore),  Mohammad Shehzad (Multan), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Tahir Hussain (Multan)

SB News KARACHI (January 10, 2020):-Javeria Rauf and Anam Amin helped PCB Blasters to their second consecutive win in the National Triangular T20 Women’s Cricket Championship as their side secured a 12-run victory over PCB Challengers at Karachi’s National Stadium on Friday. In the second match of the three-team tournament, PCB Blasters set a 155-run target for Bismah Maroof-led Challengers after Ramin Shamim chose to bat after winning the toss. Javeria cracked a 40-ball 57, hitting eight fours and a six. Over the course of her innings, the right-handed batter crafted a 62-run stand for the second wicket with opener Ayesha Naseem, who scored 31 runs from 20 balls on the back of three sixes and a four. Batting at number four, Aliya Riaz, who set-up a 25-run win for PCB Blasters against PCB Dynamites on Thursday, scored 29 off 27. The all-rounder hit four fours. For Challengers, Fatima Sana picked two wickets for 25 runs, while Aimen Anwar, Aroob Shah and Saba Nazir took one wicket each. Challengers managed 142 for nine in 20 overs in their reply. Muneeba Ali shone with a half-century. The left-handed batter scored 50 runs in 36 balls and smashed three fours and three sixes. She, however, couldn’t get the desired support from the other end as the next top-scorer, Hafsa Khalid, made 24. Only four batters, including Muneeba and Hafsa, managed scores in double-digits. Anam Amin, the slow left-arm, put a dent in the run-chase by removing Ayesha Zafar (13) earlier in the piece. She picked up three wickets for 14 runs. Captain Ramin and Tooba Hassan took two wickets each. For their contributions with bat and ball, Javeria and Anam were jointly-declared player of the match. The third match of the tournament, between PCB Dynamites and PCB Challengers, will be played at the National Stadium on Saturday.  Scores in brief: PCB Blasters 154-6, 20 overs (Javeria Rauf 57, Ayesha Naseem 31, Aliya Riaz 29; Fatima Sana 2-25) PCB Challengers 142-9, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 50, Hafsa Khalid 24; Anam Amin 3-14, Ramin Shamim 2-23, Tooba Hassan 2-27) Result PCB Blasters win by 12 runs

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 10, 2020):-Bangladesh will look to bring their fine form over recent years to the big stage in Group C of the U19 Cricket World Cup. They 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. Ali, a wicket-keeper batsman, is one of several potential stars of the future in a side which has set a high standard in the current generation. Bangladesh have won 18 of their last 30 games in a run which includes series wins over New Zealand and Sri Lanka and three victories on English soil. In Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudul Hasan Joy they possess the only players to score more than 1,000 runs at U19 level since the last tournament two years ago. Shoriful Islam, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury and Tanzim Hasan Sakib will also provide ample assistance with the ball as the three leading wicket-takers at this level. Pakistan, meanwhile, will be without Test international Naseem Shah but they 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. Ali has similarly impressed, progressing into first-class cricket having taken 17 wickets in nine youth-level matches, with the left-arm spinner holding Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath as his sporting inspiration. But one of the most exciting players to watch in the entire tournament could be Mohammad Shehzad, with the opening batsman set to become one of the youngest to ever play in the ICC U19 World Cup. Chair of Pakistan’s junior selection committee, Saleem Jaffar, believes the squad has the right make up to do well at the tournament. He said: “Criteria for selection was current performances and meritocracy, and I am pleased it was a consensus decision. “These players have been performing up to our expectations and I am hopeful they will carry their good form into the series and produce solid performances.” Zimbabwe will be hoping to improve on their showing at the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand which saw them win just one of their group games. They will be captained by Dion Myers, while Wesley Madhevere adds experience to their ranks having played in the U19 World Cup on two previous occasions. Former senior national team captain Prosper Utseya is set to coach Zimbabwe and will see his side get their tournament underway in the group’s first game against Bangladesh. Their squad also boasts a multi-talented youngster in the form of former U17 national team footballer Taurayi Tugwete. Zimbabwe’s final Group C match will see them face Scotland, who return to the U19 World Cup after an absence in 2018. A breakthrough into the upper echelons has yet to come their way but Gordon Drummond insists the side are relishing the chance to cause a few upsets in a challenging group. “The squad is excited to take part in the upcoming U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. It is a tough group but one which also represents the chance to take a few Full Member scalps,” Scotland’s U19 coach said. “They (the players) have trained hard all winter and are looking forward to the outdoor preparation in Dubai leading into the tournament. “The players have set themselves some targets which if they can play with skill and belief, we know they can certainly achieve.” Group C fixtures: 18 January: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 19 January: Pakistan v Scotland – North West University Oval, Potchefstroom; 21 January: Bangladesh v Scotland – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom; 22 January: Pakistan v Zimbabwe – Witrand Oval, Potchefstroom; 24 January: Pakistan v Bangladesh – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom; 25 January: Zimbabwe v Scotland – Witrand Oval -  Potchefstroom.  

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the fifth day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Buttler was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Use of an audible obscenity during an International Match” following an incident with South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Buttler, for whom it was the first offence during a 24-month period. The incident occurred during South Africa’s second innings on Tuesday, when Buttler was heard using obscene language with Philander at the crease. Buttler admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Chris Gaffaney and reserve umpire Allahudien Palekar leveled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

SB News ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-Three former champions and a tournament debutant will come face-to-face as Group B shapes up for drama aplenty in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Sylvester Okpe did most of the damage his off-spin, returning 4/19 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 U19 World Cup debut. The momentous occasion will see Sylvester Okpe’s Junior Yellow Greens become the 31st team to compete since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1988 when they face Australia, at Country Club B Field, on 20 January. All Group B fixtures will take place at Kimberley, with West Indies the next challenge for Nigeria on 23 January before rounding off the opening stage against England at Diamond Oval. Before that, the opening match at the same venue will see two former champions face off as Australia take on West Indies. Winners of the Youth Cricket World Cup more than 30 years ago, Australia took the honour of becoming the first double champions when they prevailed at New Zealand 2002. Eight years later they were winners again – also in New Zealand – while they head to Africa with a score to settle after finishing runners-up back in 2018. Jake Fraser-McGurk Victoria’s teenage sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk – who doesn’t turn 18 until April – headlines the team after already making his mark in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition. The Australian teens will be coached by Test greats Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris, with three of the squad already boasting contracts in the Big Bash League. West Indies, meanwhile, name three players that featured in the 2018 U19 World Cup, with captain Kimani Melius, Ashmead Nedd and Nyeem Young all returning for a second tournament. They’ll do so desperate for improvement, with the talented teens missing out in the opening pool stage before eventually finishing tenth last time out. With Chris Gayle and Brian Lara among their U19 World Cup alumni, there’s a lot to live up to for the West Indies team – victorious for the first time when beating India in the 2016 final. “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. “I never actually liked the game of cricket before playing, but I saw an ODI match on TV between England and Australia, went and had a go and just started working hard from there.” The group also features the added edge of an Ashes rematch, with Australia and England facing off in a Kimberley contest that could determine who reaches the next stage. George Balderson Led by George Balderson, England will be confident of a strong showing in South Africa – the location of their maiden, and so far only, U19 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. The two Ashes rivals met in the quarter-finals two years ago, with Lloyd Pope the star of the show after taking eight for 35 – the best figures in an U19 World Cup match – to lead Australia to victory. Group B Fixtures: 18 January: Australia v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: England v West Indies – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 20 January: Australia v Nigeria – Country Club B Field, Kimberley; 23 January: Australia v England – Diamond Oval, Kimberley; 23 January: West Indies v Nigeria – Country B Club Field, Kimberley; 25 January: England v Nigeria – Diamond Oval, Kimberley