Ben Charlesworth, Hamidullah Qadri named in England U19 World Cup squad

England have named Lancashire allrounder George Balderson as captain of their squad for the 2020 Under-19 World Cup, which begins in South Africa next month.

The squad warmed up for the tournament by reaching the final of an Under-19s tri-series in the Caribbean, featuring West Indies and Sri Lanka. Several have first-team experience for their counties, including Worcestershire batsman Jack Haynes, Gloucestershire allrounder Ben Charlesworth, offspinner Hamidullah Qadri and wicketkeeper Jordan Cox, both of whom play for Kent.

England begin their campaign against West Indies U19s at Kimberley on January 20. They have been drawn in Group B, along with Australia and Nigeria.

"I'm excited to see what this squad can do at the World Cup," England U19 head coach, Jon Lewis, said. "It will be a great challenge for them both on and off the field, playing in unfamiliar conditions against new opposition in matches that will be televised around the world.

"The series in Antigua has shown that our core group of players can perform well in a challenging environment. Each individual is improving in their specific roles within the side, but in South Africa we'll need to ensure these roles all come together to produce good team performances.

"We've seen in Antigua, and in our home tri-series this summer against India and Bangladesh, that we can beat some of the best teams in the world. I look forward to seeing how we can take that confidence into the pressurised environment of a World Cup."

England Under-19 World Cup squad: George Balderson (capt), Kasey Aldridge, Ben Charlesworth, Tom Clark, Jordan Cox, Blake Cullen, Scott Currie, Harry Duke, Joey Evison, Lewis Goldsworthy, Jack Haynes, George Hill, Dan Mousley, Hamidullah Qadri, Sam Young