Boshier to lead Kiwis in U-19 WC

HAMILTON: Taranaki allrounder Kaylum Boshier will captain hosts New Zealand in the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup.

Boshier, also a noted junior rugby player, was named to lead the 15-man squad, which features four players who played in the 2016 edition of the tournament. Wellington allrounder Rachin Ravindra, Auckland duo Finn Allen and Dale Phillips and Nelson spinner Felix Murry were all part of the contingent in Bangladesh where New Zealand finished a lowly 12th.

Boshier was named captain after impressing national selectors in the leadership role at Central Districts during the National U-19 tournament. In November, Boshier scored a hundred for New Plymouth Old Boys in the final round of a one-day competition to help his side qualify for the semifinals.“We’re confident with the side we have selected for the tournament,” head coach Paul Wiseman said. “It will be a great experience for the players involved, but for those not selected there will be other opportunities going forward. Selection or non-selection will not define these youngster’s cricketing careers.”

The hosts New Zealand are in Group A in this multi-team event, alongside defending champions Windies, South Africa and Kenya. They begin their campaign on January 13 against Windies in Tauranga, where they are scheduled to have a training camp from December 17. They will play unofficial warmups against Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Their two official warmup games have been scheduled against Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea.

Squad: Kaylum Boshier (c), Finn Allen, Jakob Bhula, Max Chu, Katene Clarke, Matthew Fisher, Luke Georgeson, Ben Lockrose, Callum McLachlan, Felix Murray, Sandeep Patel, Dale Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Connor Sullivan, Todd Watson.