Thomas Rew, Somerset’s highly rated wicketkeeper-batter, will captain England at the forthcoming Under-19 World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia in January and February.

Rew, 18, missed the recent tour of the West Indies, where England Under-19s were beaten 5-2, due to his involvement with England Lions in Australia. He made his first-class debut in the Lions’ game against Australia A earlier this month, making scores of 19 and 47, having played for Somerset during the summer while still 17.

Nottinghamshire offspinner Farhan Ahmed – younger brother of England international Rehan – will be vice-captain, having led the side in the Caribbean. The rest of the 15-player squad is largely the same, with uncapped Leicestershire left-arm spinner Ali Farooq the only new inclusion for the World Cup.

“This is an amazing opportunity for the players we have selected to not only wear an England shirt at a World Cup but also to go out and try and do something special,” England U19s head coach, Mike Yardy, said.

“We have a balanced squad with a core group of players who already have county experience and who have developed a camaraderie while playing together for the U19s that will serve them well during the tournament.

“I really want the players to enjoy the opportunity to play at a World Cup, in a beautiful country like Zimbabwe, and to embrace the chance to compete against different countries and show their quality.”

England are in Group C with Pakistan, Scotland and hosts, Zimbabwe, at the Under-19 World Cup. They will begin their campaign against Pakistan at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare’s on January 16.

England Men’s Under-19 World Cup squad: Thomas Rew (capt), Farhan Ahmed, Ralphie Albert, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumsden, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Isaac Mohammed, Joe Moores, Sebastian Morgan

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