Australia have confirmed Oliver Peake as captain for their 2025 ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in Namibia and Zimbabwe, as the reigning champions set out to defend the title they won in 2024.
Peake, the youngest member of last year’s victorious squad, famously made an unbeaten 46 in the final against India and has since risen rapidly through Australia’s pathway system. He has already featured for Australia A, toured Sri Lanka as a development player, scored 92 vs Sri Lanka A, and hit a match-winning 70 in the Sheffield Shield* opener for Victoria. Contracted to the Melbourne Renegades, Peake will miss the second half of the BBL due to World Cup commitments.
Australia named a balanced 15-member squad featuring three uncapped talents — Naden Cooray, Nitesh Samuel and William Taylor — all from New South Wales. Samuel arrives with serious form, having been Player of the Tournament at the recent U19 Nationals after scoring 364 runs at an average of 91.
Former national head coach Tim Nielsen will lead the group, supported by Luke Butterworth and Travis Dean. Nielsen praised the squad’s depth, highlighting standout displays during the recent U19 series against India and the national championships in Perth.
From the 2024 World Cup-winning squad, only Peake returns, with Sam Konstas already having debuted in Test cricket and Mahli Beardman progressing to senior white-ball squads. Australia have been drawn into a first-round group with Ireland, Japan, and Sri Lanka, setting up an intriguing early challenge as they begin their title defence.
Australia Under-19 World Cup squad:
Oliver Peake (C), Kasey Barton, Naden Cooray, Jayden Draper, Ben Gordon, Steven Hogan, Thomas Hogan, John James, Charles Lachmund, Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Hayden Schiller, Aryan Sharma, William Taylor, Alex Lee Young
