England Storm Into Under-19 World Cup Final After Beating Australia By 27 Runs

England confirmed their place in the final of the Under-19 World Cup 2026 after registering a 27-run victory over Australia in the first semi-final at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Tuesday.

The win has set up a summit clash on February 6 against the winners of the second semi-final between India and Afghanistan.

Winning the toss, England decided to bat first and assembled a competitive total of 277 for seven from their full quota of overs.

The innings began poorly, however, with Ben Dawkins dismissed for one when the score stood at just three.

Ben Mayes and Joseph Moores then rebuilt the innings with a 54-run partnership for the second wicket. Moores scored 25 from 33 deliveries, striking a six and a four, while Mayes added 24 off 33 balls. England soon slipped to 60 for three, placing them under pressure.

Rew and Faulkner Turn the Game

Captain Thomas Rew and Caleb Faulkner shifted the momentum decisively with a vital 135-run stand for the fourth wicket. Rew anchored the innings with a commanding 110 off 107 balls, an effort that featured one six and 14 boundaries. Faulkner contributed a valuable 40, including four fours, while Farhan Ahmed provided late stability with an unbeaten 28.

Australia’s bowling effort saw Hayden Schiller and Naden Koure take two wickets apiece, with Will Byrom and Aryan Sharma accounting for one each.

In pursuit of 278, Australia were bowled out for 250 in 47.3 overs.

The chase faltered early as two wickets fell with only 47 runs on the board. Captain Oliver Peake and Nitesh Samuel then steadied the innings through a 62-run third-wicket partnership, but the dismissal of either batter triggered another collapse.

Peake led by example with a determined 100 from 88 balls, including one six and 10 fours. Samuel scored 47, while Aryan Sharma chipped in with 34, but Australia could not close the gap.

England’s bowlers delivered a collective effort, as Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden and Ralphie Albert claimed two wickets each. Alex French and Farhan Ahmed also made vital contributions with the ball, sealing England’s passage to the final.

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