Thomas Rew Named England Captain for Under-19 World Cup

Thomas Rew, Somerset’s highly rated wicketkeeper-batter, has been appointed captain of England’s squad for the forthcoming ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup, which will be staged in Zimbabwe and Namibia in January and February.

The 18-year-old Rew missed England Under-19s’ recent tour of the West Indies—where the team lost the series 5–2—due to his involvement with the England Lions tour of Australia. During that tour, Rew made his first-class debut against Australia A, scoring 19 and 47, continuing his rapid rise after featuring for Somerset in county cricket while still just 17.

Rew is the younger brother of fellow wicketkeeper-batter James Rew, who was also part of the Lions tour. Despite James’ presence, Thomas was preferred behind the stumps during the match at Allan Border Field. Earlier this year, Thomas Rew made headlines by breaking the record for the fastest England Under-19 century, reaching three figures from just 73 balls against India in June.

Nottinghamshire offspinner Farhan Ahmed has been named vice-captain after leading the side during the Caribbean tour. Ahmed is the younger brother of England international Rehan Ahmed. The rest of the 15-player squad remains largely unchanged, with Leicestershire left-arm spinner Ali Farooq—yet to be capped at Under-19 level—the only new inclusion.

England Under-19s head coach Mike Yardy expressed confidence in the group selected for the tournament.

“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,” 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 have been drawn in Group C alongside Pakistan, Scotland and hosts Zimbabwe. They will begin their World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare on January 16.

England Men’s Under-19 World Cup squad:
Thomas Rew (captain), Farhan Ahmed (vice-captain), 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.