England Knock Out Australia to Secure U19 World Cup 2026 Final Spot
Thomas Rew's century helps England post 277 and bowl out Australia for 250 in a semifinal thriller.
England booked their place in the final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 after defeating defending champions Australia by 27 runs in a high-stakes semifinal at the Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.
Batting first, England posted a competitive total of 277 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs, built around a commanding century from captain Thomas Rew. Rew led from the front with a composed 110, striking 14 fours and a six, and anchoring the innings after early wickets. His knock provided England with the platform needed to challenge a strong Australian side.
In reply, Australia was bowled out for 250 in 47.3 overs, falling short despite a valiant effort from skipper Oliver Peake. Peake scored a fighting 100 off 88 balls, battling cramps late in his innings, but received limited support from the rest of the batting lineup. Opener Nitesh Samuel contributed 47, while Aryan Sharma added a brisk 34, but no other batter crossed the half-century mark.
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England’s bowlers delivered a disciplined and collective performance to defend the target. Sebastian Morgan (2/33), James Minto (2/30), Manny Lumsden (2/55), and Ralphine Albert (2/45) claimed two wickets each, consistently applying pressure and preventing Australia from building sustained partnerships.
Earlier in England’s innings, Rew shared a crucial 135-run partnership with Caleb Falconer, who scored 40, steadying the side through the middle overs. Australian bowlers managed to tighten things up at the death, restricting England from pushing past 280, but the total proved sufficient in the end.
With the victory, England reached the U19 World Cup final for the third time, having previously finished runners-up in 2022 and lifted the title in 1998. They will now face the winner of the second semifinal between India and Afghanistan, scheduled to be played in Harare, as Australia’s title defence came to an end in Bulawayo.
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