Australia announces squad for Under-19 World Cup, includes two Indian-origin players

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Australia announces squad for Under-19 World Cup: Australia has announced its 15-member squad for the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup to be held early next year. The defending champion Australian team also includes two players of Indian origin, who will represent Australia on the global stage

Indian-origin Player: Aryan Sharma and John James

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Two Indian-origin players, Aryan Sharma and John James, will play for the Australian team in this prestigious tournament to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6.

• Aryan Sharma: He is a useful batsman and provides balance to the team as a slow left-arm spinner.
• John James: He is an all-rounder who bowls right-arm medium pace.

Both these players were also part of the team that played against India in the youth Test and ODI series in September.

Multi-cultural team selected

In addition to cricketers of Indian origin, the Australian Under-19 team includes various players. Other players of different national origins are also included, reflecting the team's diversity:

• Sri Lankan origin: Nadeen Cooray and Nitesh Samuel
• Chinese origin: Alex Lee Young

Oliver Peak will captain the team

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The Australian team has been reinstated with Oliver Peak, who will lead the team.

Tim Nielsen, head coach of the Australia junior team, said, "We are delighted to announce a strong and balanced squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Our focus has been on selecting players whose skills complement each other and from whom we can expect success in the tournament. The players selected performed well in the Under-19 series against India in September and the recently concluded National Under-19 Championship in Perth."

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Australia in Group A

Australia is placed in Group A for the tournament, alongside Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka. The Australian team will arrive in Namibia in early January and play practice matches from January 9 to 14.

Australia's Under-19 Men's Team for the World Cup

Here is the full list of the 15-member squad selected for the Under-19 World Cup:

1. Oliver Peake (c) (Victoria)
2. Kasey Barton (NSW)
3. Naden Cooray (NSW)
4. Jayden Draper (Queensland)
5. Steven Hogan (Queensland)
6. Thomas Hogan (ACT)
7. Ben Gordon (Queensland)
8. John James (NSW) - Indian origin
9. Charles Lachmund (Queensland)
10. Alex Lee-Young (NSW)
11. Will Malajczuk (WA)
12. Nitesh Samuel (NSW)
13. Hayden Schiller (SA)
14. Aryan Sharma (Victoria) - Indian origin
15. William Taylor (NSW)

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