New Zealand Cricket has announced their preliminary squad to contest the under-19 World Cup here next year.
Five players are still to be added to a 24-strong squad to play in two trial matches on December 12 and 13.
The final squad will not be named until the conclusion of the national under-19 tournament in January, giving players who missed the initial cut a chance to impress.
"There is still the opportunity for players not in the trial to stake their claim for a spot in the World Cup squad if they have an outstanding under-19 tournament," selector and team manager Dayle Hadlee said.
"We're leaving the door open a little bit on final selection as an incentive to those in the trial to keep playing well and to allow some players around the country the opportunity to prove themselves."
Hadlee admitted players in their mid to late teens were often not fully physically developed and this could result in dramatically changed form from one season to the next.
"People at this age are developing rapidly and in a physical sense a boy of 17 can be a man of 18 a year later.
"That's another reason to believe there may be one or two players in this year's under-19 tournament who may come into contention."
Central Districts batsman Ross Taylor was confirmed today as captain of the side.
Former New Zealand representative Mark Greatbatch is the coach.
Since his retirement from first-class cricket in 1998, Greatbatch has been working as coaching director for Central Districts.
The World Cup features 15 teams and starts on January 19 at various venues around the country.
Preliminary squad (five to be added):
Ross Taylor (Central Districts, captain), Scott Baldwin (Central Districts), Geoff Barnett (Central Districts), Michael Bates (Auckland), James Bullick (Auckland), Greg Cates (Auckland), Craig Clare (Central Districts), Brook Hatwell (Northern Districts), Fraser Hawes (Canterbury), Greg Hay (Central Districts), Stephen Murdoch (Wellington), Rob Nicol (Auckland), Ian Robertson (Canterbury), Jessie Ryder (Central Districts), Ian Sandbrook (Central Districts), Robbie Schaw (Central Districts), Lance Shaw (Central Districts), Jordan Sheed (Otago), Richard Sherlock (Central Districts).
- NZPA
Cricket: NZ team announced for Under-19 World Cup
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