England edge out Australia to enter U-19 World Cup final

England knocked out defending champions Australia in a thriller to return to the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup final after four years.

Going into Tuesday’s semi-final in Bulawayo, both Australia and England were unbeaten in their five matches in the tournament. As one of the oldest rivalries in the sport took centre-stage again, it was England who rose to the occasion with a well-rounded and matured performance.

Riding on a century from captain Thomas Rew, the English colts posted 277/7 in their 50 overs. A late charge from the Australian skipper, Oliver Peake, threatened to take the game away but England struck back to dismiss them for 250 and register a 27-run win.

In the all-important clash, England won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch that had been used a fair bit during the tournament and afforded some help to the bowlers. Will Byrom drew first blood for Australia as the pacer started his spell with a wicket maiden, sending back English opener Ben Dawkins.

Joe Moores and England’s star batter in the tournament Ben Mayes calmed the early nerves with a 54-run second wicket partnership. Moores and Mayes departed in quick succession, leaving England reeling at 60/3. That’s when Rew took charge of the ship. He struck 14 fours and a six in a fluent innings of 110, off 107 balls. Rew stitched a 135-run partnership with Caleb Falconer (40) to put the pressure right back on Australia.

Medium pacer Hayden Schiller and leg-spinner Naden Cooray were the most effective Australian bowlers on the day, claiming two wickets each.

During the chase, the English bowlers stuck to a tight line and length to stifle the scoring rate. Nitesh Samuel provided some solidity at the top of the order with a patient knock of 47 even as Australia struggled for batting rhythm. A superb diving catch by Moores, to dismiss Alex Lee Young, highlighted England's commitment in the field.

It was Peake's heroics that kept Australia in the reckoning deep into the game. With only the lower order for company, Peake battled valiantly, channeling Australia's never-say-die spirit. After shoring up the team's defence, Peake let loose with the finish line on the horizon.

Hampered by cramps and unable to run between the wickets, the Austarlian captain chose to stand and deliver. He took the game into overdrive in the 46th over, slamming a six and four fours off consecutive balls to score 22 runs off Manny Lumsden.

But England struck right back in the next over, with Sebastian Morgan clean bowling Charles Lachmund. The Australian captain was running out of partners and gas, and hobbled to the other end as he brought up his 100 with a single. But Australia's innings ended with Peake driving straight to the point fielder.

England bowled superbly as a unit, and all their bowlers were amongst the wickets. Morgan, James Minto, Lumsden and Ralphie Albert claimed two wickets each.

England’s first and only U-19 World Cup title came in the second edition in 1998, while they last played the final in 2024 when they were beaten by India by four wickets. They will take on either India or Afghanistan in Friday’s title clash.