Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), February 3 — A magnificent century from skipper Thomas Rew propelled England Under-19 to a competitive total of 277 runs against arch-rivals Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 at the Queen’s Sports Club on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first in a high-pressure knockout clash, England delivered a composed batting performance, anchored brilliantly by their captain, who rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
🔥 Early Wickets, Steady Recovery
England’s innings began on a shaky note as opener Ben Dawkins was dismissed for just one run, falling to Australian seamer Will Byrom in the very first over.
Joseph Moores and Ben Mayes then steadied the ship, adding a valuable 50-plus stand for the second wicket. Moores looked fluent before being trapped LBW by Aryan Sharma for 25 off 33 balls. Mayes followed soon after, bowled by a superb delivery from Hayden Schiller, departing for 24 off 33 balls.
💯 Captain Rew Takes Control
With England needing stability, Thomas Rew stepped up in commanding fashion. The skipper found solid support from Caleb Falconer, and the duo stitched together a match-defining 135-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Falconer contributed a patient 40 off 53 balls, striking four boundaries before Naden Cooray broke the stand in the 36th over. Rew, meanwhile, marched on confidently, reaching his century with a single in the 39th over. His superb knock of 110 runs featured 14 fours and a six, underlining his authority and temperament.
⚡ Late Push, Tight Australian Bowling
Ralphie Albert chipped in with a quick 15 off 13 balls, hitting two boundaries before falling to Cooray. With nine overs remaining, Farhan Ahmed joined Rew at the crease.
However, disaster struck in the 43rd over when Rew was run out by a direct hit from Steven Hogan, bringing an end to a captain’s knock that had laid England’s foundation.
Australia’s bowlers tightened the screws at the death, preventing England from accelerating freely. Still, Farhan Ahmed’s unbeaten 28 off 26 balls ensured England crossed the 270-run mark, finishing on 277 in a do-or-die encounter.
🏆 England Aim for Second Title
With a challenging target on the board, England will look to stop the defending champions Australia short of 277 and book a place in the final. A victory would keep England in contention for their second ICC U19 World Cup title.
Among full-member nations, India lead the charts with five U19 World Cup titles, followed by Australia (four), Pakistan (two), while Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and West Indies have each lifted the trophy once.
The stage is set for a thrilling chase—pressure, pride, and a final berth all on the line 🔥
