Is Hamza Shaikh the Right Choice as England U19 Captain for the Youth Test Against India?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hamza Shaikh appointed as captain of England U19.
- First Youth Test match against India at County Ground.
- Squad includes notable players like Rocky Flintoff and Thomas Rew.
- Match scheduled for July 12, 2023.
- Second match to follow at Ambassador Cruise Line Ground from July 20-23.
London, July 9 (NationPress) The right-handed batter Hamza Shaikh has been appointed as the captain of England U19 for the inaugural men’s Youth Test match against India, scheduled to take place at the County Ground in Beckenham starting July 12.
Shaikh returns as the leader of the 15-member squad following his debut as captain against Sri Lanka last summer. He represented England in the 2024 Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup but missed the U19 tour to South Africa over the winter due to a call-up to the Lions squad.
The team features Rocky Flintoff and Archie Vaughan, both sons of former England captains Andrew Flintoff and Michael Vaughan. Notably, Rocky scored 222 runs in the recent Youth ODI series against India.
Thomas Rew, the top run-scorer in the series with 280 runs across five innings, joins fellow players Alex French and Jack Home, who both secured eight wickets during the five-match series that India U19 triumphed in 3-2.
Sebastian Morgan, who participated in four Youth ODIs against India and took five wickets, including that of the 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, has earned his first selection in a Youth Test squad.
Also making the squad is Aaryan Sawant, of Indian origin, who earlier scored a century against South Africa, along with Ekansh Singh and Jay Singh. Following the match in Beckenham, the U19 teams will compete in a second red-ball game at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Chelmsford from July 20-23.
England U19 squad for first Youth Test against India: Hamza Shaikh (Captain), Tazeem Ali, Jaydn Denly, Rocky Flintoff, Alex French, Alex Green, Jack Home, Ben Mayes, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Thomas Rew, Aaryan Sawant, Ekansh Singh, Jay Singh and Archie Vaughan.