National Junior Selection Convener Dayle Hadlee has announced the New Zealand Under-19 squad to compete in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
Fourteen players and three management staff will assemble at the New Zealand Cricket High Performance Centre at Lincoln University on Monday 23 January to prepare for the tournament, which will be contested from 5-20 February.
Two warm-up games against a Canterbury XI are scheduled, followed by pre-tournament matches against South Africa and West Indies ahead of the 16-team competition.
New Zealand face Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uganda in pool play, with the two top teams qualifying for the Super League knock-out section.
“The team is well balanced, offering coach Dipak Patel a range of options to suit the conditions and opposition," Hadlee said.
“There are five specialist batsmen (including a back-up wicket-keeper), two medium pace all-rounders, four pace bowlers, four spinners (including two top order batsman), and a specialist wicket-keeper.
“Three players have had recent First Class experience, Todd Astle and Hamish Bennett for Canterbury and Martin Guptill for Auckland.
“Although there are no stars in the team the all-round qualities of the squad should see it compete strongly in a difficult climatic and playing environment.”
New Zealand Under-19 squad: Marc Ellison (Auckland, RHB, Captain), Todd Astle (Canterbury, RHB, RALS, Vice Captain), Dean Bartlett (Auckland, RHB, RAMF), Hamish Bennett (Canterbury, LHB, RAMF), Andrew De Boorder (Auckland RHB, RAM), Jason Donnelly (Auckland LHB. LAS), Nicolas Fitzgerald (Northern Districts LHB, WK), Shaun Fitzgibbon (Otago RHB, WK), Martin Guptill (Auckland RHB, RAOS), Roneel Hira (Auckland LHB, LAS), Ronald Karaitiana (Wellington RHB, RAM), Colin Munro (Auckland LHB, RAMF), Kieran Noema-Barnett (Otago LHB, RAM), Timothy Southee (Northern Districts, RHB, RAMF)
Non Travelling Reserves: Laren Guthrie (Otago LAMF), Sam McLeod (Northern Districts RHB, RAOS), Ben Stewart (Auckland RHB, RAMF)
Management: Dayle Hadlee (Manager), Dipak Patel (Coach), Shane Derry (Physiotherapist)
