Benkenstein excited by England captaincy role

Luc Benkenstein has played 15 first-team games for Essex in 50-over and T20 formats

New England Under-19 captain Luc Benkenstein believes first-team experience with Essex will help him settle younger players into the squad for the forthcoming one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew, Farhan Ahmed and Thomas Rew have been included in the squad, even though they are only 16 - although Ahmed did play at the Youth World Cup earlier this year.

The first game will be staged at Chelmsford, Benkenstein's home ground, on 28 June, followed by two matches at Hove.

"I'm very excited to get started, to meet a new group of lads and hopefully be successful in this series," the 19-year-old told BBC Essex's Around The Wicket.

"Rocky Flintoff is a very talented youngster, and Farhan, who everyone saw at the World Cup, is an unbelievable talent.

"Obviously we want to win every game, but there are a lot of young players who we're trying to develop and it's going to be really exciting to work with them."

Benkenstein's father Dale played 23 one-day internationals for South Africa, as well as spending several seasons with Durham, and is now head coach at Lancashire.

"My dad, having been a captain, I've been able to learn a lot from him," Benkenstein added.

"And with Essex putting that trust in [me] to captain the 2s (second team) every now and then, I think that will help in this upcoming series.

"You're going to have a bit of an advantage growing up with a parent who's played the game but it's obviously how you use it.

"The lads who are there, all our parents have been very supportive. We see it as a positive thing and it's very exciting to have someone who's already played the game in your family."

The squad also includes Haydon Mustard, son of former Durham and England wicketkeeper Phil, while both Ahmed and Rew have elder brothers who play for Leicestershire and Somerset respectively.

Benkenstein - who missed much of last season injured - said: "From as early as I can remember, all I've ever wanted to do is play cricket and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't.

"I was going to his [dad Dale's] games, playing cricket on the side of the field when he was at Durham, and that's definitely the reason I wanted to play."

Asked whether he would like to one day play in a team coached by his father, he laughed: "For the sake of my mum's mental health, I think we'll try and stay away from that."