U19 Cricket World Cup begins at Bay Oval

Bay Oval will host seven games including the final of the ICC Under19 Cricket World Cup. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand's cricket stars of tomorrow are gearing up for a tilt at history.

They will bid for a first ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup trophy in the 12th edition of the tournament starting next Saturday when defending champions West Indies will take on New Zealand in a 50-over match from 2pm at Bay Oval.

It will be the first of six games in seven days at the in-demand Mount Maunganui arena.

After previously hosting the event in 2002 and 2010, the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup is back on New Zealand soil with games to be held in Christchurch, Queenstown, Mount Maunganui and Whangarei.

New Zealand will be led by Central Districts all-rounder Kaylum Boshier, the younger brother of Chiefs Super Rugby player Lachlan Boshier, and are coached by former New Zealand spinner Paul Wiseman.

The 15-strong squad has a chance to etch their names in the record books, with New Zealand yet to lift the Under 19 Cricket World Cup since the biannual tournament's inception in 1988.

New Zealand went all the way to the final 20 years ago in 1998 in South Africa before falling to England by seven wickets. It was the launching pad for several international careers including James Franklin, Kyle Mills and brothers Hamish and James Marshall.

New Zealand's next best finish was a decade on in 2008 in Malaysia, where they made it to the semifinal against a Virat Kohli-led Indian side.

Tim Southee was awarded player of the tournament before making his senior international debut a few months later, while his new ball bowling partner Trent Boult picked up 7-20 in a match, figures which still stand as the second best in the history of the event. Kane Williamson was the captain of that side.

The latest player to transition from the Under 19 set-up to the senior side is Glenn Phillips, who played in the last World Cup in 2016 and went on to make his New Zealand senior debut early last year. His younger brother Dale Phillips will feature for New Zealand for the second time after also playing in the 2016 edition of the tournament.

New Zealand are in camp but had their second game of a three-match warm-up series against Pakistan washed out at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

They start their campaign against the West Indies on January 13 under lights at Bay Oval, before meeting Kenya at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on the 17th with their final pool game a day-night match on January 20 back at Bay Oval.

The final is scheduled for February 3 also at Bay Oval will host six games in a week from January 13 to 20 and the final on February 3.

A full tournament fixture list with start times can be found at www.nzc.nz.

All matches during the tournament are free entry.

January 13 New Zealand v West Indies
January 14 India v Australia
January 16 India v Papua New Guinea
January 17 West Indies v South Africa
January 19 India v Zimbabwe
January 20 New Zealand v South Africa
February 3 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup Final 2pm