Japan announce U19 squad for WC debut

TOKYO: Marcus Thurgate, the wicket-keeper batsman, will lead Japan in the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup 2020 in South Africa.

This will be Japan’s first appearance in any cricket world cup. They made it through to the U19 tournament as winners of the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, which they hosted.

Neel Date has been named vice-captain, while Shu Noguchi, who led his team to the domestic U19 title last month, has been included.

“It means a lot to be the first captain of a Japan team to participate in a global cricket event. It comes with a lot of pressure to show the world what we are capable of, but also excitement for our new era,” Thurgate said in a release.

The team will be coached by Dhugal Bedingfield.

Drawn in the same group as New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka, they will have their task cut out in the youth tournament. Their opening match is against New Zealand on January 18 in Potchefstroom.

Squad: Marcus Thurgate (c), Max Clements, Tushar Chaturvedi, Neel Date (vc), Kento Ota-Dobell, Ishaan Fartyal, Sora Ichiki, Leon Mehlig, Masato Morita, Shu Noguchi, Yugandhar Reth­arekar, Debashish Sahoo, Reiji Suto, Kazumasa Takahashi, Ashley Thurgate.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe also announced the follow squad: Dion Myers (c), Wesley Madhevere (vc), Emmanuel Bawa, Privilege Chesa, Gareth Chirawu, Ahomed Rameez Ebrahim, Dylan Grant, Brandon James, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tadiwanashe Nyangani, Luke Oldknow, Samuel Ruwisi, Dane Schadendorf, Milton Shumba, Taurayi Tugwete.