Is Joshua Dorne the New Skipper for the West Indies in the 2026 Men’s Under-19 World Cup?
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Key Takeaways
St John’s (Antigua), Dec 17 (NationPress) Top-order batsman Joshua Dorne has been appointed as the captain of the West Indies team for the 2026 Men’s Under-19 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6.
All-rounder Jonathan Van Lange has been designated as the vice-captain. The 15-member squad includes 19-year-old batter Jewel Andrew, who has already participated in three ODIs and five T20Is for the senior West Indies team.
Recently, the West Indies clinched a 5-2 victory in a seven-match Youth One-Day International series against England in Grenada, and they narrowly defeated Sri Lanka 4-3 in another seven-match series held in August-September.
“This squad is the result of a carefully planned and structured selection process. We closely monitored performances in regional Under-17 and Under-19 competitions, focusing on identifying players with specialist skills and the adaptability necessary for international cricket,” said Dwain Gill, CWI’s High Performance Manager.
“In forming this group, we have aligned their development with the style of play expected at the senior level, ensured they gain exposure to high-quality match opportunities, and emphasized leadership, tactical awareness, and individual support within their territories.”
“The outcome is a well-balanced and competitive squad, poised to excel at the Under-19 World Cup and significantly contribute to the long-term future of West Indies cricket,” he added.
In the U19 World Cup, the West Indies will compete in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania, with all matches set to be played at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. Prior to the tournament, they will engage in warm-up matches against Ireland and Japan in Windhoek.
The top three teams from each group will progress to the Super Six phase, followed by the Semi-Finals on February 3 and 4, and the Final on February 6 at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
West Indies squad 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).
Reserves include: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine, and Deshawn James.