Joshua Dorne to Lead West Indies in Men's U-19 World Cup 2026
Captaincy Announcement
Joshua Dorne, a prominent top-order batsman, has been appointed as the captain of the West Indies team for the upcoming Men's Under-19 World Cup, as reported by a sports news outlet on Tuesday. This prestigious ICC tournament is scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January to February 2026. Jonathan Van Lange, an all-rounder, will serve as Dorne's vice-captain. The squad comprises 15 players, including Jewel Andrew, a 19-year-old talent who has already participated in three ODIs and five T20Is for the senior men's national team.
Squad Selection Strategy
"In forming this team, we have focused on aligning their growth with the style of play expected at the senior level, providing them with high-quality match experiences, and emphasizing leadership, tactical understanding, and individual support within their regions," stated Dwain Gill, the High Performance Manager of Cricket West Indies, as quoted by the sports news outlet.
Tournament Group Details
The West Indies have been placed in Group D for the Under-19 World Cup, competing against South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania. Their first match will be against Tanzania in Windhoek on January 15.
Overview of the ICC U-19 World Cup 2026
The ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 is set to commence on January 15, featuring five-time champions India facing the USA, while hosts Zimbabwe will take on Scotland. Debutants Tanzania will compete against the West Indies on the tournament's opening day. The final match is scheduled for February 6, showcasing the best emerging talents from the participating nations.
The tournament format will mirror previous editions, with 16 teams divided into four groups during the initial stage. A total of 41 matches will unfold over 23 days, as confirmed by the ICC. Co-hosts Zimbabwe and Namibia will facilitate the event. Defending champions Australia, who triumphed over India in the 2024 finals, will begin their campaign against Ireland on the second day in Windhoek, Namibia.
West Indies U-19 World Cup Squad
The West Indies squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 includes: Joshua Dorne (captain), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R'jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Israel Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aiden Racha, Kunal Tilokani, and Jonathan Van Lange (vice-captain).