The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the relocation of the upcoming Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. This decision follows the recent suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) by the ICC due to administrative uncertainty.

The ICC took action on November 10, suspending SLC with immediate effect, citing a breach of obligations as a member, particularly in managing its affairs autonomously and without government interference. The move came in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe dismissing the entire SLC board following the national team’s disappointing performance in the World Cup, where they finished in the ninth position out of ten teams and failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Despite Ranasinghe appointing former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga to head an interim committee for SLC, the Sri Lankan Court of Appeal issued a two-week stay order on this decision, reinstating the SLC regime led by President Shammi Silva. Subsequently, the Sri Lankan parliament’s resolution seeking the removal of the cricket board played a pivotal role in the ICC’s decision to relocate the Under-19 World Cup.

Under-19 World Cup Relocated to South Africa Amid Sri Lanka Cricket Turmoil

In the aftermath of the upheaval within Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC has decided to move the upcoming edition of the Under-19 World Cup to South Africa, as reported by Cricbuzz. The decision was reached during an ongoing ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad.

According to the report, the ICC has affirmed its decision to suspend the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after thorough deliberation. Despite the suspension being upheld, the ICC assures that cricket involving the Sri Lankan team will proceed without interruption.

“It was a unanimous decision by the board that the suspension cannot be lifted. Cricket in the country will continue as normal,” a source informed Cricbuzz.

Originally slated to take place in Sri Lanka in January and February of the next year, the Under-19 World Cup was set to be the country’s third hosting, following the competitions in 2000 and 2006. With the relocation, South Africa steps in as the new host, and the tournament is expected to feature 16 participating teams.

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England are in a unique position coming in as defending champs after sneaking through on boundary count. As a white-ball side, England were never an inspiring team. Barring their two T20 World Cups the England side did not have much to show until their disaster in 2015. Following 2015 though, England was a changed side.

Eoin Morgan took matters into his own hands and built a core group that has now made them favorites in every event they head to. The core group stayed on with Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler forming a new era in the England Cricket Team. With the ball, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, and Adil Rashid were the ones who kept things going for a generation.

Together England won an ODI World Cup and two T20 World Cups and are now coming in as defending champions. They have easily been the best white-ball side in the last six years, with a side peaking and coming in as favorites in each tournament.

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In the four years between the last World Cup and this though there have been a few changes. Eoin Morgan has retired, Jason Roy has been dropped, Jofra Archer remains injured and Ben Stokes went into ODI retirement and came back.

In Harry Brook and Sam Curran England have found two talents who can carry them into the next generation. The old guard still remains and this could be their last dance together. The old guard has some rustiness around them as well. Ben Stokes back strongly from retirement is taking part as a batter only. Joe Root has hardly played ODI cricket since 2019 but remains their best player spin and a crucial part of their line-up.

Mark Wood and Chris Woakes did not play too much cricket after the Ashes but remain really good prospects with their experience. With only 3 players younger than 29, England are full of experience. The old guard mentioned above though are in their 30s and will be touching their late 30s by the next World Cup. As a result, this World Cup will definitely mark a change in guard. For the current generation though, the World Cup remains a chance to prove that they are the best despite being four years older than they were in the previous edition and on the wrong side of 30.