BULAWAYO: Skipper Thomas Rew led from the front with a sublime century, ably backed by the bowlers, to power England to a 27-run victory over Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026 here at the Queens Sports Club.
Set stiff 278, Australia fell short and were bowled out for 250 in 47.3 overs despite their skipper Olivier Peake’s spirited batting effort.
Notably, this is the first time since 1998 that England U19 have qualified for the final.
Will Malajczuk and Nitesh Samuel added 32 for the opening wicket in 5.4 overs. Malajczuk was trapped lbw after scoring 15 from 12 balls.
The next wicket also fell in quick succession as Steven Hogan was caught after managing just three from 23 balls.
As a result, Australia were under pressure early in their innings with 47-2 in 12.3 overs.
But Oliver Peake and Nitesh Samuel launched a recovery with a 62-run partnership and put the chase back on track.
The scorecard read 109 in 24.3 overs when Ralphie Albert provided the much-needed breakthrough in the form of Samuel’s wicket. He was out stumped after scoring 47 from 83 balls with the aid of a six and three fours.
The wicket brought England back into the mix as Australia lost two more wickets in quick succession. Consequently, they were reduced to 134-5 in 31.4 overs with Peake standing firm at one end.
He stitched a vital 46-run stand with Aryan Sharma for the sixth wicket partnership that revived their chase.
But Aryan’s brisk knock was ended on the fourth ball of the 37th over as England sniffed an opening. He made 34 from 23 with the aid of six fours.
England chipped in with a couple of more wickets, and Australia were left tottering for 207-8 in 42.1 overs.
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Australia’s hopes were all on Peak, who was standing firm and with his side requiring an uphill task to climb — 54 required from 30 balls, he did something magical to put his team back in the game.
In the 46th over of the game, Peak took on Lumsden for a six and four consecutive boundaries to bring down the equation to 32 from 24 balls.
However, he ran out of partners at the other end despite reaching his century, and eventually was caught at covers as the Three Lions sealed a memorable win.
The left-hander top-scored for his side with 100 off 88 balls, including a six and 10 fours.
For England, Sebastian Morgan and James Minto remained the standout bowlers with two wickets to their name.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, England racked up 277-7 in 50 overs.
England were put in early trouble at 60-3 in 14 overs when their captain Thomas Rew was joined by Caleb Falconer. The pair forged a 135-run partnership that laid a foundation for a strong total.
The stand eventually culminated in the 35th over with Calob Falconer’s wicket. The all-rounder made 40 off 53 with the aid of four boundaries.
Despite his wicket, Rew continued on and went on to score a century. His knock ended in the 42nd over. He managed 110 from 107 balls, peppered with 14 fours and a six.
In Australia, Hayden Schiller and Naden Cooray took a brace. Meanwhile, Aryan Sharma and Hayden Schiller took one wicket each.
