Two players of Sri Lankan origin named in Australia squad for U19 World Cup

Two Sri Lankan origin players have been named in the Australia squad for the ICC Under-19 men’s Cricket World Cup 2026. 

Newcomers Nitesh Samuel and Naden Cooray have been named in the squad after impressive performances during the Under-19 Male National Championships.

Victoria young gun Oliver Peake will lead Australia’s title defence at next month’s ICC Under-19 men’s Cricket World Cup.

The left-hander, who is already making his mark in the Sheffield Shield, is also no rookie on the global stage, with this being his second appearance at the age-group tournament.

Peake, 19, was the youngest member of the group that lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2024, having been parachuted into the squad to replace an injured Corey Wasley after Australia’s opening game.

The U19 World Cup will return to the African continent with Namibia and Zimbabwe jointly hosting the world’s young cricketing talent from January 15 to February 6.

Australia have been grouped with Ireland, Japan and Sri Lanka for the first stage of the 16-team tournament.

The top three teams from each of the four groups will progress to the Super Sixes stage, which will be followed by the semi-finals and final.

Australia’s 15-player squad announced this morning closely resembles the group that took on an Indian under-19 side in three youth ODIs and two youth Tests in September-October.

The group will benefit from the experience of having played together even though they went winless in that series.

The three newcomers in the squads – Nitesh Samuel, Naden Cooray and William Taylor –, are also familiar with each other with all three being NSW Metro representatives.

Samuel was the highest run-scorer in the eight-day tournament played in Perth where he averaged an impressive 91 for his tally of 364 runs and won the player of the tournament award.

Samuel and Cooray were named in the official team of the tournament with Charles Lachmund (Queensland) and Alex Lee-Young (NSW Metro) also earning that recognition among those in the World Cup squad.

The side will be coached by Tim Nielsen, who will be assisted by Luke Butterworth and Travis Dean.

Australia U19 men’s World Cup squad: Oliver Peake (c) (Victoria), Kasey Barton (NSW), Naden Cooray (NSW), Jayden Draper (Queensland), Steven Hogan (Queensland), Thomas Hogan (ACT), Ben Gordon (Queensland), John James (NSW), Charles Lachmund (Queensland), Alex Lee-Young (NSW), Will Malajczuk (WA), Nitesh Samuel (NSW), Hayden Schiller (SA), Aryan Sharma (Victoria), William Taylor (NSW)

(With inputs from agencies)