The Australian state of Queensland will host cricket’s Under-19 World Cup in 2012, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday, with Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Townsville hosting teams. It will be the second time the event has been held in Australia, after the inaugural tournament in 1988. “The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is the showcase event for best young cricketers in the world and is where the next Cameron White or Yuvraj Singh gets their first real taste of top-level cricket,” Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said. “We are building towards hosting the senior ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 and this tournament will play a big part in getting ready for that event.” Australia are the defending champions, having won the last event in 2010 in New Zealand.