Daniel Gallan chats to former Proteas all-rounder Wayne Parnell about the Under-19 World Cup.

Earlier this month, Cricket South Africa named Bryce Parsons of Central Gauteng as captain of the national U19 team to play in the 2020 edition of the ICC U19 World Cup to be held in South Africa early in the new year.

The vice-captain is Khanya Cotani of North West. The team also includes Gerald Coetzee of Free State, a member of the team that played in the last tournament in New Zealand in 2018 and has already played franchise cricket for the Knights as well as for the Jozi Stars in the MSL.

New magazine issue: Why De Kock must bat at four

The squad will fine-tune its preparation during a home series against world champions India at the end of the year and in a quadrangular series that follows against India, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

‘Congratulations to all the players who have been selected as well as the management and support staff,’ commented CSA acting chief executive Dr Jacques Faul. ‘I am sure head coach Lawrence Mahatlane, his fellow selectors and our talent scouts around the country have left no stone unturned in identifying our best players in this age group and that the work done at the various training camps will be well rewarded.

‘I wish our players everything of the best for a successful tournament and know that they will make us proud.

‘I would also like to acknowledge the work done by tournament director Sivuyile Mqingwana as well as by the local organising committees at our four hosting venues.’

South Africa U19 head coach Mahatlane added: ‘It was a tough process selecting this squad. 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.

‘Bryce is a natural leader. 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.’