Somerset’s top-scoring wicketkeeper-batsman Thomas Reve has been named England captain for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia in January and February.
The 18-year-old missed England Under-19s’ recent tour of the West Indies – which the team suffered a 5-2 series defeat – due to being involved in the England Lions tour of Australia.
Reve scored 19 and 47 in the Lions’ match against Australia A earlier this month. At the age of 17 he played for Somerset in the summer.
Thomas is the younger brother of James Rae, another wicketkeeper-batsman who was part of the Lions team in Australia. However, Thomas was favored behind the stumps during the match at Allan Border Field.
Earlier this year, he hit the headlines by breaking England’s Under-19 century record for the fastest century by reaching the milestone in just 73 balls against India in June.
Nottinghamshire off-spinner Farhan Ahmed, younger brother of England player Rehan Ahmed, has been named vice-captain after leading the team during the Caribbean tour.
There are no changes to the 15-man squad, with Leicestershire’s left-arm spinner Ali Farooq the only new addition for the World Cup.
England Under-19 head coach Mike Yardy expressed his confidence in the squad selected for the tournament.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the players we’ve selected to not only wear the England shirt at the World Cup, but to go out and try to do something great,” Yardy said.
“We have a balanced squad with key players who already have county experience and have developed a strong camaraderie while playing together at Under-19 level, which will serve them well during the tournament.
“I want the players to enjoy the opportunity to play in the World Cup in a beautiful country like Zimbabwe, embrace the experience and show their quality against different countries.”
England have been placed in Group C along with Pakistan, Scotland and Zimbabwe. They will begin their campaign against Pakistan on January 16 at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.
England Under-19 World Cup Squad:
Thomas Reve (c), Farhan Ahmed (VC), Ralphie Albert, Ben Dawkins, Caleb Falconer, Ali Farooq, Alex French, Alex Green, Luke Hands, Manny Lumston, Ben Mayes, James Minto, Isaac Mohammed, Joe Moores and Sebastian Morgan.