Van Lange aiming to stay calm, produce wins for WI U-19 team

– as squad departs Barbados for U-19 World Cup

Guyana and West Indies youth all-rounder Jonathan Van Lange is the ultimate team man, and he is hoping to produce wins at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup.
The tournament, co-hosted by Namibia and Zimbabwe, will run from January 15 to February 6, and the Caribbean boys departed earlier this week.
Speaking at a virtual press conference on Tuesday, the young Guyanese said he is looking forward to the challenge.
“I am looking forward to the challenge. This is my first major tournament, so I am looking forward to putting in some good performances for the team,” Van Lange said.
Speaking on his preparation, Van Lange said he did a lot of work indoors. “Due to the weather in Guyana, there haven’t been many outdoor sessions, so I have been utilising the indoor nets, so I am looking forward to the challenge.”
The well-built all-rounder describes himself as a calm customer under pressure, and that can help the team in crunch moments at the Youth World Cup.
“With both bat and ball, I’m a bit calm under pressure, so I am here to do what the team needs to give the team the wins. We can go all the way; we have quality players. To win, you have to beat everyone, so I am not looking forward to anyone,” he said.
The squad includes Jewel Andrew, who also featured in the 2024 edition and is the youngest-ever West Indies men’s player to feature in T20Is and ODIs.
The 15-member squad also features several players who impressed during the 2025 regional competitions and international preparatory series. These include the series against England and Sri Lanka, both of which the West Indies won.
“Joshua Dorne and Jewel Andrew played in a World Cup before, and they have experience, so we are leaning on them.”
West Indies – Joshua Dorne (Captain); Jewel Andrew; Shamar Apple; Shaquan Belle; Zachary Carter; Tanez Francis; R’jai Gittens; Vitel Lawes; Micah McKenzie; Matthew Miller; Isra-el Morton; Jakeem Pollard; Aadian Racha; Kunal Tilokani and Jonathan Van Lange
Reserves: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine and Deshawn James.
The West Indies have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania. All of their group matches will be played at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia.
Meanwhile, the team have departed Barbados for the tournament
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase, followed by the semi-finals on February 3 and 4, and the final on February 6 at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.

Warm-up Games:
• West Indies v Ireland – January 10, Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek
• West Indies v Japan – January 13, United Ground, Windhoek

Group Stage:
• West Indies v Tanzania – January 15 at 03:30h (AST)/02:30h (JAM)
• West Indies v Afghanistan – January 18 at 03:30h (AST)/02:30h (JAM)
• West Indies v South Africa – January 22 at 03:30h (AST)/02:30h (JAM)