Set to make their U-19 World Cup debut, the Japan Cricket Association (JPA) announced a 15-member squad on Tuesday. Marcus Thurgate has been named as the skipper while Indian origin Neel Date will serve as his deputy.

Japan is placed in Group A with India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. They will begin their tournament campaign against New Zealand on January 18.

“It means a lot to be the first captain of a Japan team to participate in a global cricket event. It comes with a lot of pressure to show the world what we are capable of, but also excitement for our new era!” said Marcus in an official statement.

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super League, while the remaining teams will feature in the Plate Championship.

The Super League stage will commence from January 28 and the top four sides will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners competing for the title on February 9 in Benoni.

Japan U19 squad for World Cup:

Marcus Thurgate (c), Max Clements, Tushar Chaturvedi, Neel Date (vc), Kento Ota-Dobell, Ishaan Fartyal, Sora Ichiki, Leon Mehlig, Masato Morita, Shu Noguchi, Yugandhar Retharekar, Debashish Sahoo, Reiji Suto, Kazumasa Takahashi, Ashley Thurgate.