THE multitalented Jonathan Van Lange who turned 19 on December 30, is the youngest of four siblings, including two sisters, born to Errol and Kamala Van Lange.
The burly Van Lang has been selected as Vice-Captain to Joshua Dorne for the West Indies in the ICC 2026 U-19 World Cup set to commence on January 15 with West Indies playing Tanzania in Namibia.
The versatile teenager was selected following a successful five-match U-19 series in Grenada where Van Lange scored 52, 57 and 80.
“My main goal for the U-19 World Cup is to contribute wherever the team needs me to help secure victory. Whether it’s batting, bowling, or supporting in the field, my focus is on doing whatever it takes to help the team succeed” stated a very confident Van Lange.
He is the first Guyanese to be appointed Vice-Captain since 2020 when Ashmead Nedd was the deputy to fellow Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer.
Van Lange, who has represented Guyana in Table Tennis at the last Commonwealth Games, attended Mae’s school, The Bishop’s High School and School of the Nations.
He is also a swimmer and one half of the national doubles table tennis champions alongside Shamar Britton.
“I come from a very sports-oriented family, so being active and competitive was encouraged from a young age. I was involved in several sports growing up, including swimming, table tennis and cricket. Being exposed to multiple sports helped shape my discipline, adaptability, and overall love for sport.
Balancing school and sports weren’t always easy, but it taught me resilience. Academically, I did well overall and took my education seriously alongside sports. Managing both helped me develop strong time-management skills and a consistent, focused mindset that I still rely on today” posited the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) all-rounder.
Van Lange was introduced to table tennis at Mae’s Primary School.
According to him, “What first drew me in was the sound and rhythm of the ball during play. As I continued, I began to appreciate the level of focus, hand-eye coordination, and quick decision-making the sport demanded.
Table tennis continues to help shape my overall development as an athlete as I continue to strive for improvement in the sport.”
Van Lange explained how he got involved in cricket, saying, “I grew up living next to a cricket pitch, so I was able to watch the game being played almost every day. Seeing it so regularly sparked my interest from a young age, and over time I became more involved and developed a passion for the sport. My table tennis skills translate directly into my cricket, particularly in terms of reflexes, timing, and concentration. Both table tennis and cricket play an important role in my overall development as an athlete” said the right-handed player who added that he enjoys playing both sports.
“I didn’t start as a seamer—I began as a wicketkeeper, then moved to off-spin, and about three years ago switched to seam bowling. I would say I enjoy batting more even though I take pride in contributing with the ball as well”
“There are two cricketers that inspire me…Henry Clarkson from South Africa and Harry Brook from England. I admire these players because they combine skill with consistency, both on and off the field. Watching how they handle pressure, stay disciplined, and contribute to their team motivates me to improve my own game” continued Van Lang who enjoys fishing, go-kart racing and shooting.
Van Lange disclosed that his most memorable moment in cricket was when he scored his first hundred in an U-17 club match.
When asked what was his favourite format, the ‘big hitting’ young man said “at the moment, I don’t have a particular preference. I enjoy all formats of cricket as each format challenges different skills and strategies, and I try to focus on giving my best no matter which format I’m playing.”
He sees himself playing all formats of international cricket for the West Indies in the next years adding that “if I weren’t a cricketer, I think I would be a fisherman. I love fishing and find it very relaxing.”
“My training is focused and structured, with a mix of skill work, fitness, and mental preparation. For cricket, I work on batting, bowling, fielding, and overall conditioning, while for table tennis, the emphasis is on reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and agility. While both sports require fitness and focus, the specific drills and skills are different, so I adjust my training to suit each sport.
“The main people who have supported me in my sports journey so far have been my family, my coaches, and my friends. My family encouraged me from a young age, especially growing up in a sports-oriented household. My coaches guide me, help develop my skills, and taught me discipline, while my friends keep me motivated and make the journey enjoyable” concluded Van Lange who departs Guyana tomorrow for a training camp in Antigua prior to the World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe.