England men confirm Under-19 World Cup squad

A 15-strong group has been confirmed for the 16-team competition, which is due to get underway on January 15 in the Caribbean

Hampshire's Tom Prest will captain England men at next month's Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean.

The 1998 winners have unveiled a 15-strong squad, plus two reserves, for the tournament that gets underway on January 15.

Much of the squad that toured Sri Lanka for five one-day internationals in November and December are included.

Sussex's Danial Ibrahim and Harry Crawshaw of Durham are the players who miss out on a place in the main squad or the reserve list.

Barbados-born Jacob Bethell will be vice-captain and is joined by a host of talented youngsters from across the county game.

Spinner James Coles at Sussex, Leicestershire leggie Rehan Ahmed and quick bowler Sonny Baker from Somerset are also included in the squad.

^{Sonny Baker will be part of the attack (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

Josh Baker (Worcestershire) and Ben Cliff (Yorkshire) have been named as reserves.

"It's always a hugely exciting moment for any young cricketer to be selected in a representative age-group squad, especially so when it's for a World Cup," said coach Richard Dawson.

"We're really looking forward to getting out there and testing ourselves against the best young players in the world, and continuing our development as a side and as individuals."

The 14th edition of the men's Under-19 World Cup is being held between January 14 and February 5, with 16 teams playing 48 matches.

England kick-off their group campaign against holders Bangladesh (January 16) before facing Canada (January 18) and United Arab Emirates (January 20).

England men's Under-19 squad: Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Tom Aspinwall (Lancashire), Sonny Baker (Somerset), Nathan Barnwell (Surrey), George Bell (Lancashire), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire, vc), Josh Boyden (Lancashire), James Coles (Sussex), Alex Horton (Glamorgan), Will Luxton (Yorkshire), Tom Prest (Hampshire, captain), James Rew (Somerset), James Sales (Northamptonshire), Fateh Singh (Nottinghamshire), George Thomas (Somerset)

Reserves: Josh Baker (Worcestershire), Ben Cliff (Yorkshire)