The New Zealand Under 19 side have been grouped alongside the two previous winners of the U19 Cricket World Cup, West Indies and South Africa, while African qualifier Kenya completes Group A.
New Zealand will open its campaign against defending champions West Indies at Bay Oval on Saturday 13 January. The hosts then travel south to Christchurch for their match against Kenya on Wednesday 17 January, before returning to Tauranga for their final group fixture against South Africa on Saturday 20 January.
New Zealand Under 19s Coach Bob Carter suggested that tough competition early in the tournament will be good for the young side.
“The opportunity to play against the West Indies, South Africa and Kenya during the group stages will provide a huge challenge for us.
“We’ve had a number of winter training camps in Lincoln and have plenty more preparation to put in ahead of the tournament.”
It will be the third time that New Zealand has hosted the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, with Cameron White and Mitchell Marsh leading Australia to victory in 2002 and 2010 respectively.
Carter also mentioned that the World Cup is a key stepping stone for the young cricketers, with competition for spots high.
“The chance to look at the talent across New Zealand is a great opportunity for us. It will be a fantastic experience for those who are selected, but we see plenty of players who may miss out that can still have a future in the game.
In total 16 nations will compete in New Zealand, with seven venues across four cities – (Christchurch, Tauranga, Queenstown, and Whangarei) to host the future stars of cricket.
The 10 Test playing nations (prior to Afghanistan and Ireland’s recent inclusion) gained automatic qualification to the event, along with the best finishing associate from the last edition, Namibia. They are joined by five regional qualifiers in the biennial tournament that showcases future stars every two years.
Past alumni of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup include Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Trent Boult.
In the other groups, three-time champions India and Australia are clubbed together in Group B along with Zimbabwe and East Asia Pacific qualifier Papua New Guinea.
Bangladesh, Canada, England and Namibia comprise Group C while two-time champion Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Asia qualifier Afghanistan and Europe qualifier Ireland form Group D in what is the 11th edition of the tournament.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the Super League while the remaining eight teams will feature in the plate championship.
The final will be played at Bay Oval in Tauranga on Saturday 3 February while both semifinals will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 29 and 30 January.
The plate tournament will run simultaneously but end with the final at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch on Sunday 28 January.
Entry to all matches of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 will be free, giving cricket fans in New Zealand a superb opportunity to see tomorrow’s stars today. The event will replicate a major ICC tournament in terms of organisation and playing facilities giving players their first taste of competing on the global stage.
For the full schedule click here
