Henriques leads Under-19 World Cup campaign

Moises Henriques, the New South Wales allrounder, will captain Australia's Under-19 team at the World Cup in Sri Lanka in February. A rookie-contract holder with the Blues, Henriques was the only player who was part of the 2004 outfit to be picked in the current side following the national championships in Perth last night.

Trevor Hohns, the national chairman of selectors, said the squad wanted to repeat the trophy-winning success of 2002. "The panel has chosen what they believe to be a very flexible and well-balanced squad which will be important given the conditions they will be facing," he said.

"There were some players who are unlucky to have missed selection, but those who have missed out need to remember this is certainly not the end of the road." The squad was due to receive its caps from Mark Taylor, the former Australia captain, during the tea break of the opening day of the first Test between Australia and South Africa.

New South Wales collected their third consecutive national title after beating Victoria in the final round and Usman Khawaja, their opening batsman, was the Player of the Championship for his 396 runs at 66, including 100 against South Australia. Jon Holland, the Victoria left-arm orthodox spinner who picked up 7 for 37 against South Australia, was the leading wicket-taker with 20 at 11.75 and the most productive wicketkeeper was New South Wales' Marcus Hainsworth, who collected 20 catches and two stumpings.

Australia Under-19 World Cup squad
Moises Henriques (capt, NSW), Aaron Finch (vc, Vic), Jackson Bird (NSW), Tom Cooper (NSW), Ben Cutting (Qld), Jon Holland (Vic), Simon Keen (NSW), Usman Khawaja (NSW), Jack McNamara (Vic), Adam Ritchard (ACT), William Sheridan (ACT), Tom Stray (Vic), Matthew Wade (wk, Tas), David Warner (NSW).

Reserves Ben Dunk (Qld), Phillip Wells (NSW). Team management Brian McFadyen (coach), Matthew Mott (assistant coach), Geoff Tamblyn (manager), Max Pfitzner (physiotherapist).