Cricket Australia has unveiled its 15-player squad for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February – and this year, diversity is front and centre.
In a proud moment for multicultural Australia, five players of Asian heritage have been selected, reflecting the growing impact of South Asian and East Asian communities on Australian cricket. The squad includes two players of Indian heritage – Aryan Sharma and John James; two players of Sri Lankan heritage – Naden Cooray and Nitesh Samuel; and one Australian of Chinese origin, Alex Lee Young.
Australia enters the tournament as the defending champions, with exciting young Victorian Oliver Peake appointed as captain.
A Diverse and Dynamic Squad
The selected squad represents strong performances in the recent U19 series against India and the National U19 Championships in Perth. The blend of cultural backgrounds is also a reminder of cricket’s deep roots in multicultural Australia.
Australia Men’s U19 Squad:
- Oliver Peake © (Geelong District CC/VIC)
- Kasey Barton (Mosman CC/NSW)
- Naden Cooray (Parramatta CC/NSW)
- Jayden Draper (Valley District CC/QLD)
- Ben Gordon (Sunshine Coast Scorchers CC/QLD)
- Steven Hogan (Sandgate-Redcliffe District CC/QLD)
- Thomas Hogan (Ginninderra CC/ACT)
- John James (Parramatta CC/NSW)
- Charles Lachmund (Ipswich Hornets CC/QLD)
- Will Malajczuk (Subiaco Floreat CC/WA)
- Nitesh Samuel (Parramatta CC/NSW)
- Hayden Schiller (Northern Jets District CC/SA)
- Aryan Sharma (Carlton CC/VIC)
- William Taylor (St George CC/NSW)
- Alex Lee Young (Randwick Petersham CC/NSW)
The team will be coached by Tim Nielsen, with Luke Butterworth and Travis Dean supporting as assistant coaches.
Australia has been placed in Group A, alongside Ireland, Japan and Sri Lanka. The squad will arrive in Namibia in early January, followed by warm-up fixtures scheduled from 9–14 January.
What the Coaches Are Saying
Head Coach Tim Nielsen expressed confidence in the squad’s balance and readiness:
“We’re delighted to announce a strong and well-balanced squad. Our focus has been on selecting a group with complementary skill sets to give us the best chance of success. The players named have impressed throughout our recent tournaments and series.”
He added that the World Cup provides an important pathway for emerging cricketers to test themselves against elite international talent.
Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, Sonya Thompson, echoed that excitement:
“This squad combines experience with fresh energy, including three new faces who bring depth and enthusiasm. It is a fantastic opportunity for these emerging players to showcase their skills on the global stage.”
A Proud Moment for Multicultural Australia
With five Asian-origin cricketers in the national U19 team, the announcement highlights the thriving talent emerging from Australia’s diverse communities. Their selection is a testament not only to individual excellence but also to the contribution of multicultural families, clubs and community cricket pathways across the country.
As the defending champions, Australia will step onto the world stage with skill, depth and a team that truly reflects the nation’s multicultural spirit.
