ICC U19 Cricket WC: Profiling Nigeria’s Group B Opponents Australia

All-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk has been named captain of Australia’s 15-member squad that will take on Nigeria at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2020.

The squad announcement came right after the conclusion of the U19 Male National Championships in Australia, which New South Wales won by 48 runs. Lachlan Hearne, the NSW Metro captain, has also been included in Australia’s U19 squad.

Four other players from New South Wales have been drafted into the U19 squad, including all-rounders Oliver Davies and Tanveer Sangha, as well as seamers Liam Marshall and Bradley Simpson.

Fraser-McGurk’s Victoria teammate Patrick Rowe, who struck two centuries in the U19 Championships, is also a part of the squad. Their teammate Mackenzie Harvey, who has already represented Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, has also been included.

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The Australia squad includes players of all disciplines with experience in domestic cricket environments, with some having already made promising starts to their careers at senior level.

Former Australia international Chris Rogers will be the head coach of the U19 side, with Ryan Harris as his deputy.

Australia is drawn in Group B of the competition, alongside West Indies, England and Nigeria. They will play their tournament opener against West Indies in Kimberley on 18 January.

Australia had smooth pre-tournament warm-up matches with 2 victories poising them for an opening cracker against West Indies on Saturday 18th January. Tournament proper, a different ball game entirely, Australia were outplayed by West Indies who won by 3 wickets and as such, registering their first-ever victory over Australia at Under 19 level.

Nigeria will open their account against the wounded Aussie team on Monday 20th January at the diamond oval in Kimberley.

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Australia has been crowned U19 World Cup champions in 1988, 2002 and 2010.

Australia U19 squad: Jake Fraser-McGurk (c), Cooper Connolly, Oliver Davies, Sam Fanning, Mackenzie Harvey, Lachlan Hearne, Corey Kelly, Liam Marshall, Todd Murphy, Patrick Rowe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Bradley Simpson, Connor Sully, Matthew Willans.