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England’s preparation for the World Cup got underway with a tour of India before they played the same opposition at home. The team then travelled to South Africa for a triangular series also involving Namibia. In the final, England lost to South Africa by three wickets with two balls remaining in a day-night encounter. England, champion in 1998 and one of the high-performing sides in the previous edition, will be led by Harry Brook. Jon Lewis, who represented the England senior team on 16 occasions including in one Test match, is the coach, former batsman Jonathan Trott is the batting coach while Neil Killeen is the fast bowling coach. Namibia were one of the most inspiring stories from the 2016 World Cup. They won against Scotland and South Africa to qualify for the quarter-final, where they lost to England. They then beat Nepal in the seventh-place playoff to earn an automatic qualification for the next edition as the highest placed Associate. As part of their preparation for this edition, Namibia have played matches against South Africa and England in the triangular series in South Africa. Petrus Burger, who has already played first-class cricket, and Ben Shikongo, were the team’s best batsman and bowler respectively. Jan Nicole Loftie-Eaton, the left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer who is yet to turn 17, is the captain. Canada made it to the World Cup after winning the America Qualifiers at home. They won three of the four matches against United States of America and Bermuda to top the table. In a must-win last league game, Rommel Shahzad took six for 28 as the USA were bowled out for 132 in 47 overs. Arslan Khan, who will lead the team, made 52 to seal the game by four wickets with 64 balls to spare.
Also read: Important to play as a team in U19 World Cup, says Pinak
In the previous World Cup, Canada beat Fiji in the 15th place playoff game. Arslan was the team’s best batsman in that edition. The U-19 World Cup, which is held every two years, replicates a major global tournament experience in terms of organisation. The upcoming tournament from January 13 to February 3 is the 12th edition, and the third time it is being held in New Zealand. Players born on or after September 1, 1998 are eligible to participate in the tournament. Group A comprises the West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa and Kenya; Group B is formed by Australia, India, PNG and Zimbabwe; Group C consists of Bangladesh, Canada, England and Namibia; Group D comprises Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Ireland. According to the event format, the top two sides from each group will advance to the Super League while the remaining eight teams will figure in the Plate Championship. The preliminary round matches will be followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals, plus the play-offs.
