Cricket Australia has announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming men’s U19 series against India, featuring three 50-over matches and two four-day matches in Brisbane and Mackay from September 21 to October 10. Two Indian-origin cricketers, Aryan Sharma from Victoria and Yash Deshmukh from NSW, have been included in the squad selected by the youth selection panel in collaboration with state talent managers.The series is part of Cricket Australia’s long-term player development strategy, providing young players with international experience in both white-ball and red-ball formats. It contributes to the preparation for the ICC U19 World Cup scheduled for January 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.The development cycle has included a camp at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, an Australia U19 tour to India, and a specialised spin/batting training camp in India.Former Australian coach Tim Nielsen has been appointed as the head coach of the national U19 squad, bringing his international experience to guide Australia’s next generation of cricketers. The National Under-19 male championships will be held in December, after which the final squad for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2026 will be selected.“We’re excited to continue our preparation for the ongoing ICC U19 World Cup cycle, with an exciting squad of emerging players. This series against India provides a valuable opportunity for our young players to experience international cricket in white-ball and red-ball formats and to test themselves against a high-quality opponent. The multi-format tour is designed to challenge players to adapt and grow, while also giving selectors and coaches meaningful insights ahead of the National U19 Championships in December,” said Sonya Thompson, Cricket Australia Head of National Development.“We’re also thrilled to welcome Tim Nielsen as Head Coach of the National U19 squad. His extensive international experience and leadership will be instrumental in guiding and inspiring Australia’s next generation of cricketers. Strengthening our pathway programs remains a key priority for Australian Cricket, and we’re committed to creating more opportunities for our most promising players to develop at domestic and international levels,” Thompson added.Australia Under 19 Squad: Simon Budge, Alex Turner, Steve Hogan, Will Malajczuk, Yash Deshmukh, Tom Hogan, Aryan Sharma, John James, Hayden Schiller, Charles Lachmund, Ben Gordon, Will Byrom, Kasey Barton, Alex Lee Young, and Jayden Draper.Australia U19 reserves: Zed Hollick from WA/Scarborough CC, Tom Paddington from VIC/St Kilda CC, and Julian Osborne from NSW/Manly Warringah CC.
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