New Zealand have unveiled a well-rounded 15-member squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, blending age-group promise with early exposure to domestic cricket. Tom Jones will captain the side, becoming one of the more experienced heads in the tournament after being selected for his second U19 World Cup.
Jones arrives with confidence and form on his side, having recently marked his first-class debut for Otago with a century. His leadership will be complemented by four other players who have already tasted domestic cricket: Northern Districts batter Snehith Reddy, wicketkeeper Aryan Mann, Otago quick Mason Clarke, and Auckland bowling allrounder Jaskaran Sandhu. That experience is expected to help New Zealand navigate the pressures of a global age-group event.
Reddy and Clarke add further continuity, having featured in the previous edition of the U19 World Cup. Their familiarity with tournament demands provides valuable grounding to a squad that also includes several players set to make their first appearance in New Zealand colours on the international stage.
The coaching group will be led by Anton Devcich, supported by New Zealand Cricket’s high-performance staff Paul Wiseman and Graeme Aldridge. Devcich, himself a former U19 World Cup participant in 2004, highlighted both the challenge of selection and the significance of the opportunity ahead.
“With such a talented pool of players, there were some difficult selection calls, but we think we’ve landed the right balance,” Devcich said. “The Under-19 World Cup is a really exciting chance for these players to showcase their skills on the world stage and experience their first taste of international cricket.”
He also underlined the emotional importance of the tournament. “For most of the players, it’ll be their first time representing New Zealand, which will be a special moment for both players and coaches.”
New Zealand’s preparations will include a training camp in Bulawayo before the official warm-up matches begin on January 9. Drawn in Group B alongside India, Bangladesh and the USA, the young Kiwis face a demanding group that will test both their depth and adaptability.
With a captain who has already walked this path, a core seasoned by domestic exposure, and a strong support staff, New Zealand head into the U19 World Cup aiming to turn promise into performance on the global stage.
