Warwickshire teenager Hamza Shaikh has spoken of the “incredible honour” at being named captain of England’s Under-19s Test side.
Shaikh will captain the U19s in two Youth Tests against Sri Lanka at Wormsley CC, High Wycombe (8-11 July) and Cheltenham CC (16-19 July) .
The 18-year-old – who’s progressed through Warwickshire’s Youth Pathway since the age of 10 – has 15 U19 caps to his name but it’s the first time he’s skippered the national side.
“Captaining England at any level is an incredible honour,” said Shaikh, who played two Youth Tests against Australia last summer and has an average of 53 in his 13 Under-19 ODIs.
“I’ve got to know the guys well over the last couple of years so I know I’ll have great support and experience to draw on.
“I’ve captained Warwickshire’s Second XI several times this summer. At times I’ve been captaining sides including the likes of Chris Woakes, Liam Norwell and Jake Lintott. They’ve helped me and given me more confidence in my leadership on and off the field, advising on bowling options and field placements.
“But I’ve also captained sides that have been predominantly made up of Academy and youth pathway players where the lads have looked up to me for guidance. So I’ve experienced both sides of captaincy.
“I like to think I’m a fairly calm guy and captaincy doesn’t phase me. I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully coming away with a series win.”
It’s a busy few days for Shaikh who will represent Warwickshire in a First Class Counties Select XI to face the West Indies before meeting up with his England teammates.
He’s part of a 13-player squad that will play a three-day game against the Windies at Beckenham starting on Wednesday 3 July as part of the tourists Test preparations.
Squad
Hamza Shaikh (Warwickshire – captain), Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire), Charlie Barnard (Lancashire), Jack Carney (unattached), Jaydn Denly (Kent), Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire), Kesh Fonseka (Lancashire), Alex French (Surrey), Alex Green (Leicestershire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire), Harry Moore (Derbyshire), Noah Thain (Essex), Archie Vaughan (Somerset).
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