Five players from the Northern Districts region have been included in the New Zealand Under-19 squad to tour Australia in July.

Kristian Clarke (Waikato Valley), Hayden Dickson (Counties Manukau), Ben Pomare (Bay of Plenty), Tim Pringle (Bay of Plenty) and Ollie White (Northland) are part of a 15-strong squad which will play Australia in four 50-over matches in Brisbane.

With five players, ND is the largest contributor to the squad of any of the six Major Associations, and the number could've been higher, with Waikato Valley's David Hancock one of five players not considered for selection due to injury or loading.

The tour is important preparation for the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa early next year, and while selection for this tour doesn't necessarily mean selection for the World Cup, it is a positive sign for the players and the ND region.

Of further interest to ND is the selection of Graeme Aldridge and Paul Head among the support staff for the tour.

Aldridge and Head will be fulfilling roles with the Under-19 squad that they usually hold with ND, with Aldridge the assistant/bowling coach to programme lead, Paul Wiseman, and Head travelling as physio.

The four match series begins in Brisbane on Saturday, July 6.

Player, Province, Age

Adithya Ashok - RAL, Auckland, 16 years old
William Clark - RHB/RAM, Central Districts, 17 years old

Kristian Clarke - RAMF/Bat, Northern Districts, 18 years old

Lucas Dasent - LAO, Auckland, 18 years old

Hayden Dickson - RAP/RHB, Northern Districts, 18 years old

Joey Field - RAMF/Bat, Central Districts, 18 years old

Jesse Frew - Bat/RAM, Canterbury, 17 years old

Ruben Love - Bat/WK, Central Districts, 18 years old

Jock McKenzie - RHB/RAM, Auckland, 17 years old

Rhys Mariu - Bat/RAL, Canterbury, 17 years old

Tim Pringle - Bat/LAO, Northern Districts, 16 years old

Ben Pomare - Bat/WK, Northern Districts, 18 years old

Jesse Tashkoff -Bat/LAO, Wellington, 18 years old

Dylan Taylor - RHB/RAO, Auckland, 18 years old

Ollie White - Bat/LAO, Northern Districts, 17 years old