Group C of the 2024 ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Australia will be challenged by Sri Lanka and African teams Zimbabwe and Namibia for the top spot in Group C of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024.
Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in the first fixture in Group C on 22 January.
Let’s take a look at this group, and some of the future stars in the making:
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 Ultimate Guide
Namibia
Namibia, an emerging team on the world circuit, made their debut in the league in 1998 and will make their tenth appearance at the U19 World Cup this time.
So far, the 2016 edition has been the most successful for the African team. They finished eighth in the tournament, securing their best-ever U19 World Cup performance.
Namibia qualified for the tournament following a near-perfect performance in the Africa Division 1 Qualifier for the U19 World Cup. They won four out of five games, with the encounter against Uganda finishing in a draw.
Squad
Alex Volschenk (c), Gerhard Janse van Rensburg, Hansie de Villiers, JW Visagie, Ben Brassell, Jack Brassell, Henry van Wyk, Zacheo van Vuuren, Nico Pieters, Faf du Plessis, Woutie Niehaus, PD Blignaut, Hanro Badenhorst, Junior Kariata, Ryan Moffett.
Fixtures
22 January: v Australia, Kimberley
24 January: v Sri Lanka, Kimberley
27 January: v Zimbabwe, Kimberley
Watch out for
Gerhard Janse van Rensburg
Gerhard Janse van Rensburg has already sparred with the big boys, appearing in senior matches against Uganda and India’s Karnataka domestic squad.
Janse van Rensburg opens the batting for the team and is also a front-line spinner. Aside from establishing a good foundation for the Eagles’ in the middle, his presence ensures real all-around value on the pitch.
What they said
Alexander Volschenk, Namibia captain: “During the qualifiers, our team bonded like a band of brothers, playing with each other, for each other. No one is bigger than the team.”
Australia
Australia is the second-most successful team in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, after India. Their first triumph came in the tournament’s first year, 1988, when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets as hosts of the Youth World Cup.
Cameron White led Australia to victory in New Zealand in 2002, making it their second triumph.
The young Australians featured in a fully-fledged tour of England late in 2023. The tour was successful on all counts, with the side winning series in all three formats.
Squad
Lachlan Aitken, Charlie Anderson, Harkirat Bajwa, Mahli Beardman, Tom Campbell, Harry Dixon, Ryan Hicks, Sam Konstas, Rafael MacMillan, Aidan O’Connor, Harjas Singh, Tom Straker, Callum Vidler, Corey Wasley, Hugh Weibgen
Fixtures
22 January: v Namibia, Kimberley
25 January: v Zimbabwe, Kimberley
28 January: v Sri Lanka, Kimberley
Watch out for
Harry Dixon
Harry Dixon, who has been compared to David Warner, will be the guy to watch out for in Australia. He was a standout run-scorer during Australia’s U19 tour of England, striking a century in both Youth Tests.
The batter made his senior cricket debut in December, playing for Victoria XI against Pakistan.
What they said
Hugh Weiben, Australia captain: “We are quite a balanced side and all our different playing styles complement each other really well. Everyone also knows their role really well and we have the confidence in one another that any one one of us can get the job done with either the bat, ball or in the field.”
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has yet to win the U19 Men’s CWC trophy, but they have put their imprint on the competition over the years. They reached the final once, in 2000, losing to Mohammed Kaif’s India by six wickets. Their only previous success at this event was in the Plate Finals, where they defeated Afghanistan in 2012 and the West Indies in 2018.
The current Sri Lanka U19s come with a lot of game-time behind them. They played a triangular series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in 2023, hosted the West Indies, and toured Pakistan in preparation for the World Cup. The team recently competed in the U19 Asia Cup, but failed to advance to the knockout stage. With lots of practice, the young Lankans will seek to light up the event.
Squad
Sineth Jayawardena (c), Pulindu Perera, Hirun Kapurubandara, Ravishan Nethsara, Rusanda Gamage, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Dinura Kalupahana, Malsha Tharupathi, Vishva Lahiru, Garuka Sanketh, Duvindu Ranatunga, Ruvishan Perera, Supun Waduge, Vihas Thewmika, Vishen Halambage.
Travelling Reserves: Dinuka Tennakoon, Hiran Jayasundara.
Fixtures
21 January: v Zimbabwe, Kimberley
24 January: v Namibia, Kimberley
28 January: v Australia, Kimberley
Watch out for
Malsha Tharupathi
Malsha Tharupathi is a rising leg-break bowler with a propensity for making useful contributions with the willow. The bowling all-rounder has already made an impact in Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit, taking 10 List A wickets at an average of 21.9 and 18 T20 wickets for just 11.27.
During Sri Lanka U19’s October tour of Pakistan, he took seven wickets at an average of 18.71 to help the team win the ODI series. He also took five wickets at an average of 20 at the U19 Asia Cup in December.
What they said
Sineth Jayawardena, Sri Lanka captain: “As a unit, we are always together, and as the captain, I think that’s our main strength. Even though we have downfalls, we have always made comebacks.”
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe shone in the event during the 2000s, winning the Plate Final in 2002 and progressing past the group stage in 2004 and 2006. They have previously defeated Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Zimbabwe prepared for the 2024 U19 World Cup by playing a two-game series against Ireland, which finished in a 1-1 draw.
Squad
Nathaniel Hlabangana, Panashe Taruvinga, Ronak Patel, Campbell MacMillan, Ryan Kamwemba, Brendon Sunguro, Calton Takawira, Matthew Schonken (c), Anesu Kamuriwo, Newman Nyamhuri, Mashford Shungu, Kohl Eksteen, Panashe Gwatiringa, Shaun Dzakatira, Munashe Chimusoro
Fixtures
21 January: v Sri Lanka, Kimberley
25 January: v Australia, Kimberley
27 January: v Namibia, Kimberley
Watch out for
Panashe Taruvinga
Panashe Taruvinga will be one of the few players from the previous tournament to compete in the U19 Men’s CWC 2024. Taruvinga, 16, scored 39 runs in his first two games in 2022.
The wicketkeeper-batter gained experience and demonstrated his skill in Zimbabwe’s club circuits, recently delivering two important knocks against the Ireland U19s. Taruvinga has an excellent opportunity to position himself as a reliable option for Zimbabwe in the future.
What they said
Matthew Schonken, Zimbabwe captain: “This is a one-time experience for most of us and is a great start to everyone’s cricket career, we are hoping that we all get a good kick start into the start of our futures ahead of us.”
