Biju to lead Ireland Under-19s on South Africa tour

IRELAND Under-19s will begin the next stage of their development towards the 2028 World Cup with a four-match tour of South Africa next week.

Sidharth Biju of Adamstown will captain the 14-player squad, which also includes his younger brother Shravon, for a training camp and four 50-over matches in Potchefstroom.

The squad departs Dublin on October 7 and will face North West University three times as well as a North West Under-19 Invitational XI. The trip marks the opening phase of Ireland’s preparations for the next ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup cycle, with the global tournament scheduled for January 2028.

Head coach Pete Johnston believes the tour will provide an important early test for a new generation of Irish talent.

“This tour provides the players with early exposure to different conditions, climate and strong opposition,” said Johnston. “Potchefstroom offers an excellent high-performance environment and the tour will form a valuable part of the journey towards a World Cup in around 14 months’ time.”

The touring party contains representatives from across four provincial unions, with players drawn from clubs including Muckamore, Ardmore, Cork County, Railway Union, Templepatrick, Holywood, Bangor, Phoenix, Bonds Glen and North County.

Johnston stressed that the players remaining at home will also stay firmly in the picture.

“We will also be working back home with the non-travelling members of the Under-19s Winter Squad to ensure we maintain a depth of talent and a group of players who will ensure there is a healthy level of competition for places within the system.”

Ireland open against North West University at the NWU Oval on October 12, before facing the Invitational XI the following day. Further fixtures against North West University follow on October 15 at Senwes Cricket Stadium and October 16 back at the NWU Oval.

IRELAND UNDER 19 SQUAD
Marko Bates (Muckamore)
Sidharth Biju (Adamstown) (captain)
Shravon Biju (Adamstown)
Bobby Brolly (Ardmore)
Mark Donnelly (Cork County)
Ted Hasler (Railway Union)
Gethin Kelleher (Railway Union)
Fintan McCarthy (Templepatrick)
Lucas Mckeown (Holywood)
Felix McMillan (Bangor)
Aadil Naizam (Phoenix)
Mark Robinson (Bonds Glen)
Ruben Sanders (North County)
William Shields (Cork County)

The off-season home-based squad also includes Jan Dijkstra, Peter le Roux, Alex Ogle, Gautam Rana, Tom Spratt, Ayan Ullah and Ben Walsh.