[Representational photo]: This will be Japan’s first ever appearance in any cricket world cup © Getty

Wicketkeeper-batsman Marcus Thurgate will lead Japan in the upcoming U19 World Cup 2020 in South Africa. This will be Japan's first ever appearance in any cricket world cup.

Neel Date has been named vice-captain of the side which will be coached by Dhugal Bedingfield.

Squad: Marcus Thurgate (c), Max Clements, Tushar Chaturvedi, Neel Date (vc), Kento Ota-Dobell, Ishaan Fartyal, Sora Ichiki, Leon Mehlig, Masato Morita, Shu Noguchi, Yugandhar Retharekar, Debashish Sahoo, Reiji Suto, Kazumasa Takahashi, Ashley Thurgate.
"It means a lot to be the first captain of a Japan team to participate in a global cricket event. It comes with a lot of pressure to show the world what we are capable of, but also excitement for our new era," Thurgate said on his appointment.

Japan have been drawn in the same group as India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. They play their opening match on January 18 against New Zealand in Potchefstroom.