New Zealand appoint all-rounder Jesse Tashkoff as captain for U19 World Cup

New Zealand have picked Wellington’s spinning-all-rounder Jesse Tashkoff as the captain of the Under-19 World Cup to be played in South Africa in January-February 2020. The Black Caps colts will be coached by former Kiwi international off-spinner Paul Wiseman.

Tashkoff has not played much of cricket till now for the U19 side. The left-arm spinner has featured in two series played this year against Australia in Australia and Bangladesh at home. In eight matches in those two series, he has picked as many wickets. He scored an unbeaten 66 in one of the matches against Bangladesh and a 45 against Australia.

New Zealand clubbed with India, Japan, Sri Lanka

New Zealand U19 are placed alongside defending champions India, Japan and Sri Lanka in Group A. They play their opening match against Japan Potchefstroom on January 18, the second day of the tournament. The contest will have 16 teams divided into four groups with the top two from each advancing to the  Super League.

The bottom two teams will go to the Plate League. New Zealand finished a poor eighth in the last U19 World Cup which was played in their country in 2018. This time, the Black Caps boys will look to improve their track record, even that of their seniors if possible. The final will be played on February 9.

“These boys should be proud of their selection in the U19 side but they will know the hard work is ahead of them. We saw how strong the Bangladesh U19 side were that toured here recently, and we’re expecting a highly competitive World Cup.

“We’re very happy with the squad we’ve selected and believe the group will give us the best chance of success, but we’re under no illusions how tough it’s going to be,” Wiseman was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz while speaking of the squad. Bangladesh U19 beat New Zealand U-19 by 4-1 in their own backyard in the five-match series.

New Zealand U19 squad for World Cup 2020: Jesse Tashkoff (captain), Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Hayden Dickson, William O’Rourke, Joey Field, Quinn Sunde, David Hancock, Beckham Wheeler-Greenall, Nicholas Lidstone, Simon Keene, Fergus Lellman, Rhys Mariu, Ben Pomare, Oliver White.

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