Mitchell Marsh to lead Australia's U-19 World Cup squad

Mitchell Marsh, the Western Australia batsman, has been named captain of the Under-19 squad for the World Cup in New Zealand in January 2010. Marsh, who played state cricket at the age of 17, was youngest player to play in Australia's domestic one-day competition and comes from a strong sporting family - his father, Geoff, played 50 Tests for Australia and his brother, Shaun, has played 19 ODIs.

The 15-man squad also includes two other players with fathers who played prominent roles in Australian cricket: Nicholas Buchanan, the son of former national coach John Buchanan, and Alister McDermott, the son of Craig McDermott. Alister McDermott made his first-class debut against the touring West Indians in November and picked up three wickets.

South Australia fast bowler Kane Richardson is the other player with state experience in the squad, having played two List A matches and a Twenty20 game. Josh Hazlewood, the fast bowler from New South Wales, is the only one to have been part of the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia.

"I think we've got a side that will acquit itself well in the competition," Greg Chappell, chairman of the youth selection panel, said. "Obviously we've got a couple of players that have played state cricket this season which stands them in good stead for the competition we're up against in New Zealand.

"The fact that the tournament is being played in New Zealand probably helps us a little bit in terms of providing similar wickets to that of Australia and the strong subcontinent teams maybe slightly disadvantaged by that. The subcontinent teams are always very strong and have some great young talent and if we were playing them in their own conditions I think it would be a very difficult challenge.

"I would expect that we'll get through to the semi-finals, I'd be very disappointed if we didn't make it that far and if you get a bit of luck once you make it there, then anything can happen. I'm confident we'll acquit ourselves pretty well."

Australia are seeded sixth in the tournament and were grouped with South Africa, Ireland and USA, against whom they will play their opening game in Queenstown on January 16.

Squad: Mitchell Marsh (WA/capt), Timothy Armstrong (NSW), Tom Beaton (WA), Nicholas Buchanan (Qld), Jackson Coleman (Vic), Luke Doran (NSW), Benjamin Dougall (SA), Jason Floros (Qld), Josh Hazelwood (NSW), Alexander Keath (Vic), Nicolas Maddinson (NSW), Alister McDermott (Qld), Kane Richardson (SA), Thomas Triffitt (Tas), Adam Zampa (NSW).