ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Riding the momentum of back-to-back youth series triumphs, Joshua Dorne has been appointed captain of the West Indies Under-19 team for the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed the appointment in a press release issued Tuesday, naming Dorne to lead a 15-member squad at the global tournament, which will be staged jointly in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6, 2026.
At just 19, Dorne has already established himself as a composed and effective leader. He captained the regional youth side to a narrow 4-3 series victory over Sri Lanka in August, before overseeing a dominant 5-2 triumph against England in September.
Strong core retained, new talent integrated
All-rounder Jonathan van Lange has been named vice-captain, anchoring a squad that blends proven performers with emerging prospects. Among the standout selections is Jewel Andrew, who made history earlier this year as the youngest cricketer to represent the West Indies at senior level in both T20 Internationals and One-Day Internationals.
Also included are Zachary Carter, Matthew Miller, Jakeem Pollard, Shaquan Belle, and Vitel Lawes, all of whom delivered influential performances during the recent home series against Sri Lanka and England.
The group is further strengthened by Micah McKenzie, who earned his List A debut with the West Indies Academy against Sri Lanka Emerging Men in June, and 16-year-old Shamar Apple, who was drafted into the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the recently concluded CG United Super 50 Cup.
A selection process built for the long term
CWI High Performance Manager Dwain Gill said the final squad was the result of careful planning and sustained evaluation across the regional youth pathway.
“This squad is the product of a deliberate and well-structured preparation and selection process,” Gill explained. “Performances in regional under-17 and under-19 competitions were closely monitored, with an emphasis on identifying players with specialist skills and the adaptability required for international cricket.”
Gill emphasized that the selection philosophy extended beyond immediate results.
“In assembling this group, we have aligned their development with the style of play we expect at the senior level, ensured exposure to high-quality match opportunities and placed a strong focus on leadership, tactical awareness and individual support within their territories,” he said.
“The result is a balanced and competitive squad, well positioned to perform at the Under-19 World Cup and contribute meaningfully to the long-term future of West Indies cricket.”
Group-stage challenge and tournament pathway
West Indies have been placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania. All group-stage fixtures will be contested at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia.
As part of their build-up, the team will contest warm-up matches against Ireland and Japan, also in Windhoek.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase, followed by the semi-finals on February 3 and 4. The tournament will conclude with the final on February 6 at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
West Indies Under-19 squad: Joshua Dorne (captain), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani, Jonathan van Lange (vice-captain).
Reserves: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine, Deshawn James.
Management Unit: Rohan Nurse (Head Coach), Jerome Taylor (Assistant Coach), Nikita Miller (Assistant Coach), Kwayne Dalrymple (Physiotherapist), Shayne Cooper (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Dr. Dwain Archibald (Team Doctor), Clint St Hill (Manager).
