Several familiar family ties feature in the line up for the upcoming three-match white-ball series. Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, has been selected for the England U19 squad set to face Sri Lanka in youth ODIs later this month.
Despite being only 16, Flintoff has showcased his talent with Lancashire's 2nd XI this season. Remarkably, he made his debut just days after his 16th birthday and recorded his first century in April against Warwickshire's 2nd XI at Edgbaston. His father, Andrew Flintoff, is currently in the Caribbean, contributing as part of England's coaching staff for the T20 World Cup.
The U19 team boasts several other notable family connections. Essex all-rounder Luc Benkenstein, son of former South African batter and current Lancashire head coach Dale Benkenstein, will captain the squad.
Farhan Ahmed, the younger sibling of England international Rehan Ahmed and a recently signed professional at Nottinghamshire, is included in the squad. Joining him is Durham’s Haydon Mustard, whose father, Phil Mustard, represented England in 12 white-ball matches. Somerset’s Thomas Rew, a wicketkeeper-batter like his highly regarded older brother James Rew, also features in the selection.
The 16-member squad comprises nine players from the U19 World Cup earlier this year in South Africa, where England did not advance to the knockout rounds, finishing sixth overall. Ben McKinney, who led the team at the World Cup, and Hamza Shaikh were not available for selection due to their expected participation in a County Select XI against the West Indies in a three-day match at Beckenham from July 3. This match will serve as the West Indies' preparation ahead of their Test series against England starting on July 10 at Lord's.
The announcement for the squad to compete in the two-match Youth Test series against Sri Lanka will be made later this month.
Mike Yardy, the coach for England Men Under-19s, stated that they have chosen an exciting squad that includes a mix of players currently competing in the Vitality Blast and younger players experiencing their first U19 call-up. He noted that it is a significant opportunity for these players to don the England Under-19 jersey and gain international cricket experience.
England Men U19s Squad:
- Luc Benkenstein (Essex - captain)
- Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire)
- Tazeem Ali (Warwickshire)
- Charlie Allison (Essex)
- Noah Cornwell (Middlesex)
- Rocky Flintoff (Lancashire)
- Keshana Fonseka (Lancashire)
- Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
- Dom Kelly (Hampshire)
- Freddie McCann (Nottinghamshire)
- Harry Moore (Derbyshire)
- Haydon Mustard (Durham)
- Thomas Rew (Somerset)
- Noah Thain (Essex)
- Raphael Weatherall (Northamptonshire)
- Theo Wylie (Warwickshire)