Bryce Parsons, the 18-year-old Central Gauteng all-rounder, will lead South Africa at next month’s ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup at home.
Parsons was named captain of a 15-member squad, announced by Cricket South Africa on Tuesday, 10 December. Khaya Cotani of North West will serve as Parsons’ deputy for the tournament, which runs from 17 January to 9 February.
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“Bryce is a natural leader,” head coach Lawrence Mahatlane said. “The tone that he has set and the growth we have seen over the last couple of months, it was very natural for us to back him as a leader. He captained the side throughout the winter and we have seen a lot of growth in him, not only tactically, but also as a person. Hopefully, he will keep doing the country proud.”
Also included in the squad is Free State’s Gerald Coetzee, who was a participant in the previous edition of the tournament, in 2018. Coetzee had, as a 17-year-old then, picked up eight wickets, including a five-for, at 17.37 per scalp, to finish second on the team’s bowling charts.
Your South Africa under-19 squad that will take on the world in the upcoming 2020 @ICC U19 Cricket World Cup kicking off between 17 January – 09 February in South Africa.
Let’s back our #FutureStars as they strive to make us proud! ???? #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/JEjcHkCUZC
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 10 December 2019
“It was a tough process selecting this squad,” Mahatlane said. “We went through quite a lot of players, giving quite a few players an opportunity and we are very excited with the squad we selected. There is a lot of flexibility with some special talent around, I am personally excited about this group and I am sure they will make the nation proud.”
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CSA’s under-19 selection convener Victor Mpitsang added: “I feel we have chosen a well-balanced squad that has good leadership potential in its ranks as well. Having a player who has experienced a previous ICC under-19 World Cup tournament in Gerald Coetzee also brings significant advantages of its own.
“The advantage of playing at home also brings extra confidence into our ranks, particularly as the team has a good programme of competitive youth ODIs leading into the tournament.”
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South Africa will hit the final stage of their preparation for the tournament with a three-match home one-day series against the defending champions India, followed by a quadrangular series also involving India, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
