Luc Benkenstein has been named as captain in a 16-player England Men Under-19s squad for the three-match Youth ODI series against Sri Lanka later this month.
He will captain his country for the first time, and will step up to lead a group that also contains his Eagles teammates Charlie Allison and Noah Thain.
Benkenstein is set to lead the team in front of his home fans at The Cloud County Ground in Chelmsford, where the opening game of the series is to be played under lights on Friday 28 June.
The 19-year-old made his England Under-19 debut in August 2023 against Australia, and along with Allison and Thain, was part of the squad for the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.
He has 12 Youth ODI caps, previously captaining his country in the third match of that Australia series last year, and this season skippered Essex 2nd XI against Middlesex in a T20 at Garon Park.
Thain has played the same number of games in the format, scoring 350 at an average of 31.81, with a top score of 88, while both he and Benkenstein have claimed five wickets.
Meanwhile, Allison is in line to add to his seven Youth ODI appearances, in which he is averaging a sparkling 50.50 with the bat at a fluent strike rate of 95.73.
England Men Under-19s coach, Mike Yardy, said: “We have selected an exciting squad for the series, with a blend of some players who are currently playing in the Vitality Blast and some younger players for whom it will be their first time in an Under-19s squad.
“As always, it’s a great opportunity for the players to perform in an England Under-19 shirt and to experience international cricket.”
England Men Under-19s v Sri Lanka Youth ODI Series
Friday 28 June: 1st Youth ODI v Sri Lanka – The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
Monday 01 July: 2nd Youth ODI v Sri Lanka – 1st Central County Ground, Hove
Wednesday 03 July: 3rd Youth ODI – 1st Central County Ground, Hove
England Men Under-19s 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)
England Under-19s at The Cloud County Ground in 2024
Essex’s own trio of Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Thain will all again represent England Under-19s this summer.
The first game of a three-match Youth ODI series will take place at The Cloud County Ground on Friday 28 June.
Secure your seats now to see the next generation of international stars live in Chelmsford:
