England Under-19 posted a competitive 277/7 and set arch-rivals Australia a target of 278 in the first semi-final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Tuesday.
Earlier, England opted to bat first in the high-stakes clash. England captain Thomas Rew anchored the innings with a superb 110 off 107 balls, an innings laced with 14 fours and a six. Rew’s knock formed the backbone of England’s total as he guided his side through a few early stutters before accelerating in the middle overs.
Rew was well supported by Caleb Falconer, with the duo stitching together a vital 135-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Falconer contributed 40 off 53 balls, including four boundaries, before Australia finally broke the stand.
For Australia, Hayden Schiller and Naden Cooray were the pick of the bowlers, finishing with two wickets each, while the rest of the attack kept things tight in the death overs.
England’s innings
Openers Ben Dawkins and Joseph Moores began England’s innings, but the start was short-lived as pacer Will Byrom struck in his first over to remove Dawkins for just 1.
In-form batter Ben Mayes then joined Moores and the pair steadied the innings with a 50-plus stand for the second wicket. However, Australia struck back as Aryan Sharma trapped Moores LBW. Moores made 25 off 33 balls.
Mayes departed soon after, dismissed for 24 off 33 balls as Schiller produced a beauty to knock him over, leaving England needing a stabilising partnership, which Rew and Falconer delivered.
The Rew-Falconer stand kept England’s innings on track and ensured the scoreboard kept ticking. Cooray ended the partnership in the 36th over, providing Australia a crucial breakthrough.
England then received a handy late boost from Ralphie Albert, who chipped in with a quickfire 15 off 13 balls with two boundaries before falling to Cooray.
With nine overs remaining, Farhan Ahmed joined Rew, but England suffered a major blow in the 43rd over when Rew was run out after a brilliant direct hit from Steven Hogan while attempting a tight single.
Australia bowled disciplined overs at the end to prevent England from crossing the 300 mark. Ahmed stayed unbeaten with a valuable 28 off 26 balls, helping England reach 277, a total that still gives their bowlers something to defend.
Now, chasing their second U19 World Cup title, England will aim to bowl out the defending champions for under 278 and book a spot in the final.
Among full member nations, India has won the U19 World Cup a record five times, followed by Australia (four) and Pakistan (two), while Bangladesh, England, South Africa and the West Indies have lifted the trophy once each.