Taz Ali in England U19s South Africa training camp

Bears teen spinner Taz Ali is set to gain more international experience after being selected for an England Under-19s training camp in South Africa.

Leg spinner Ali – who signed a contract extension in the summer keeping him at Edgbaston until the end of 2026 – is part of an 18-player squad that will train in Stellenbosch from 25 November to 16 December.

The training camp will prepare players for the upcoming series against South Africa U19s in January and February next year.

Ali has been a regular feature in the Young Lions side this year.

The 18-year-old was part of the U19s side that faced Sri Lanka in three Youth ODIs in July, and was also part of the ICC Under-19s World Cup earlier this year where he was the fourth leading wicket taker with 14 scalps.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be involved with the Under-19s again. I’ve loved every minute of my time with the side this year.

“The training camp gives me another opportunity to learn from the guys – there’s so much talent all around – and the coaches and to keep improving my game.”

Ali is one of only three players, alongside Jaydn Denly from Kent and Hampshire’s Eddie Jack, to have travelled overseas previously with the U19s.

England Men U19s Head Coach, Mike Yardy, said: “It’s an exciting winter for this group of players. Firstly, a training camp to develop individual skills and be very clear on a style of play. This is then followed by a competitive series versus South Africa in both white and red ball cricket.”

The camp will run alongside an England Lions Development Camp (20 Nov to 14 Dec) in South Africa featuring Bears Hamza Shaikh and Dan Mousley.

England Men U19s training squad

Tazeem Ali (Warwickshire)
Ben Dawkins (Kent)
Jaydn Denly (Kent)
Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire)
Kesh Fonseka (Lancashire)
Alex French (Surrey)
Alex Green (Leicestershire)
Jack Home (Worcestershire)
James Isbell (Middlesex)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Ben Mayes (Hampshire)
James Minto (Durham)
Joe Moores (Lancashire)
Thomas Rew (Somerset)
Aaryan Sawant (Middlesex)
Naavya Sharma (Middlesex)
Archie Vaughan (Somerset)
Alexander Wade (Yorkshire)