With unwavering confidence and thorough preparation, the West Indies men’s under-19 cricket team has commenced their campaign for ICC World Cup glory in Africa. Head coach Rohan Nurse declared his squad fully equipped to handle diverse challenges—from formidable opponents to arid pitch conditions—as they pursue cricket’s most prestigious youth championship running from January 15 to February 6.
The 15-member contingent, featuring captain Joshua Dorne and 2024 World Cup standout Jewel Andrew, departed from Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport on January 6. Their journey follows an impressive preparatory phase that included Youth ODI series victories against Sri Lanka (4-3) and England (5-2) in late 2025, providing crucial momentum ahead of the global tournament co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe.
West Indies will engage in preparatory matches against Ireland (January 10) and Japan (January 13) before launching their Group D campaign against Tanzania on January 15. Subsequent group stage matches against Afghanistan (January 18) and South Africa (January 22) at Windhoek’s High Performance Oval will determine their progression to the Super Six phase. The tournament structure advances top three teams from each group, with semi-finals scheduled for February 3-4 and the championship finale at Harare Sports Club on February 6.
Coach Nurse emphasized the squad’s tactical versatility: “We’ve assembled a balanced attack featuring quality fast bowlers and attacking wrist-spinners. Our players have demonstrated adaptability in both setting targets and chasing totals during recent series, which positions us favorably for World Cup challenges.”
The team draws inspiration from West Indies’ historic 2016 under-19 World Cup triumph in Bangladesh, where current international stars like Shimron Hetmyer and Alzarri Joseph secured victory against India. Nurse has incorporated this legacy into motivational sessions while emphasizing the opportunity for this generation to create their own history.
“We’re daring to dream,” Nurse stated. “Our minimum objective is advancing beyond the previous tournament’s performance. These young men understand the significance of representing the Caribbean and are ready to embrace this platform for professional development and regional pride.”