THE inaugural Under 19 Women’s World Cup is just around the corner, with 16 countries set to battle it out in South Africa this month for the chance to be crowned the inaugural champion.

Ahead of the tournament, we here at Rookie Me Central will be previewing all the countries competing at the tournament, looking at their squads, their fixtures and how things might go for them.

In this preview, we are looking at a group of countries that might be politely referred to as the ‘minnows’ of the tournament – Indonesia, Rwanda, Scotland, UAE and USA.

These guys are all not traditional cricketing countries, but have worked their way through the various qualifying tournaments to make it to the biggest stage.

Indonesia will be competing in Group C of the 2023 World Cup, alongside Ireland, New Zealand and the West Indies. Now they have not released their team for the tournament at the time of writing this preview, which is a little bit concerning since it is under two weeks until the tournament is set to begin, and many countries are already travelling to South Africa. We wait in anticipation to see who makes the Indonesian squad.

The rest of the countries in this preview have all named their squads.

The USA are set to compete in Group A of the tournament, alongside Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The Americans may be new to World Cup, but their coach certainly isn’t. Their coach is none other than former West Indian captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The following players will be suiting up for the Stars and Stripes in South Africa: Geetika Kodali (C), Anika Kolan (VC) (WK), Aditi Chudasama, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Laasya Mullapudi, Pooja Ganesh (WK), Pooja Shah, Ritu Singh, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Snigdha Paul, Suhani Thadani and Taranum Chopra.

The Rwandans are in Group B, and have to battle England, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

The Rwandans made it to the World Cup after defeating Tanzania in the final of the African Qualifiers last September.

The Rwandan squad for this World Cup is as follows: Gisele Ishimwe (C), Merveille Uwase, Henriette Isimbi, Marie Jose Tumukunde, Giovannis Uwase, Sharila Niyomuhoza, Sylvia Usabyimana, Henriette Therese Ishimwe, Divine Gihozo Ishimwe, Belyse Murekatete, Cynthia Uwera, Cesarie Muragajimana, Rosine Uwera and Zurafat Ishimwe.

The UAE and Scotland are both in Group D, due to battle each other, the Indians and the host South Africa.

The UAE dominated the Asian Qualifiers early last year to qualify for the World Cup, while the Scots beat the Dutch in the European Qualifier series to book their spot.

The UAE squads looks as follows: Theertha Satish (c), Vaishnave Mahesh, Samaira Dharnidharka, Lavanya Keny, Sanchin Singh, Rinitha Rajith, Induja Nandakumar, Siya Gokhale, Mahika Gaur, Avni Sunil Patil, Archana Supriya, Rishitha Rajith, Geethika Jyothis, Sanjana Ramesh and Ishitha Zahra.

Meanwhile the Scottish squad is as follows: Katherine Fraser (C), Ailsa Lister (VC) (WK), Molly Barbour-Smith, Olivia Bell, Darcey Carter, Maryam Faisal, Maisie Maceira, Orla Montgomery, Niamh Muir, Molly Paton, Niamh Robertson-Jack, Nayma Sheikh, Anne Sturgess, Emily Tucker and Emma Walsingham.