Among a host of familiar names, New Zealand has included the grandson of one of their former captains in their squad for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 in South Africa, which begins next month.
The New Zealand Under 19 team will travel to South Africa for the showcase with a heightened sense of assurance, having gone undefeated in the East Asia-Pacific qualifier in Darwin earlier this year. Additionally, the squad is strengthened by three members who have connections to former stars or current generation of gifted players from New Zealand.
Tom Jones is the grandson of former New Zealand great and Test captain Jeremy Coney. Pacer Matt Rowe is related to current White Ferns seamer Hannah Rowe. Zac Cumming, who was formerly the opening batsman, is the son of Craig Cumming.
Jones, who played 140 international matches for New Zealand, will attempt to emulate the achievements of his ancestor Coney, a distinguished all-rounder, by establishing a strong presence in South Africa.
Jones, an Auckland-born batter who is only 17 years old, is one of three members of the squad who still possess the ability to qualify for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup.
However, the event in South Africa the following month is the immediate focus for Jones and New Zealand. The Kiwis, who have been placed in Group D with Afghanistan, Nepal, and Pakistan, will be captained by Jonny Bassett-Graham and coached by Wellington all-rounder Oscar Jackson.
Bassett-Graham remarked that leading the New Zealand Under-19 World Cup squad was an incredible opportunity.
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the players selected for what will be a first ICC Cricket World Cup for the entire squad,” he said.
“It’s a hugely exciting time for them and their families and I know a lot of hard work and sacrifice has got them to where they are today.
“This tournament will be an awesome opportunity for our players to test themselves against the best in the world in their age group, and we hope it will be a great experience.
“You only have to look at the impressive list of players who have represented New Zealand at this
tournament to understand it’s importance – from senior Black Caps like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee through to rising stars like Rachin Ravindra and Adi Ashok.”
New Zealand faces Nepal in its opening contest of the Under 19 World Cup on Sunday, January 21 at Buffalo Park in East London.
New Zealand squad
Oscar Jackson (c), Mason Clarke, Sam Clode, Zac Cumming, Rahman Hekmat, Tom Jones, James Nelson, Snehith Reddy, Matt Rowe, Ewald Schreuder, Lachlan Stackpole, Oliver Tewatiya, Alex Thompson, Ryan Tsourgas, Luke Watson.
Reserves
Ben Breitmeyer, Nick Brown, Henry Christie, Robbie Foulkes, Josh Oliver, Amogh Paranjpe.
