England name Under-19 squad

7 October 2008

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that the following players have been selected for the England Under-19 squad to tour South Africa in January and February 2009.

The tour will comprise five one-day internationals and one Test match as well as two Pro20 games. The matches will be played in Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg and Benoni, near Johannesburg.

The squad was selected by U19 head coach Andy Pick, elite player development manager John Abrahams, international performance manager David Graveney and selector James Whitaker.

Pick said: “This squad has real strength in the batting department as it includes four players who have had successful seasons at first-class level this summer.

“The bowling department, with the exception of Glamorgan’s James Harris, is a little inexperienced. However, three of the seam bowlers will still be eligible for the next World Cup in Kenya, so we’re looking to give them a further opportunity to impress at this level and provide valuable experience ahead of that tournament.

“The squad is therefore a great blend of players with first-class experience and those with a limited experience. We’ve got some great venues lined up and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Liam Dawson has made huge strides for Hampshire this year

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England Under-19 squad

Scott Borthwick (Durham)
Nathan Buck (Leicestershire)
Joshua Cobb (Leicestershire)
Liam Dawson (Hampshire, captain)
Jaik Mickleburgh (Essex)
Sam Northeast (Kent)
Thomas Poynton (Derbyshire)
Azeem Rafiq (Yorkshire)
Daniel Redfern (Derbyshire)
Hamza Riazuddin (Hampshire)
Atif Sheikh (Derbyshire)
James Taylor (Leicestershire)
Adam Wheater (Essex)
Chris Wood (Hampshire)

James Harris (Glamorgan) and Ben Stokes (Durham) withdrew from the squad due to injury.

James Burke of Somerset and Gloucestershire's David Payne will also join the tour as fast bowling back-up on a development scholarship funded by the fast bowling programme.