Ben Mayes creates history for England at U19 World Cup
Mayes recorded the highest-ever individual score by an English batter at ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup with a swashbuckling knock against Scotland.
Ben Mayes wrote himself into the history books by registering the highest individual score by an England batter at ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup level when he smashed 191 off just 117 balls against Scotland on Wednesday.
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Ben Mayes equalled the record for second-highest individual score in an ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup encounter.
Courtesy of his knock, England finished at their highest-ever score (404/6) in the competition and then quickly wrapped up an emphatic 252-run victory.
Mayes’ score was also the joint second-highest of all-time in Under-19 World Cup history equalling Sri Lanka’s Hasitha Boyagoda and falling just one short of the world record score of Viran Chamuditha who achieved this record earlier in the tournament against Japan.
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England defeated Scotland by 252 runs in the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026.
It bettered Dan Lawrence's innings of 174 against Fiji at the 2016 event for the highest ever by an England player at a Men's Under-19 World Cup and Mayes was thrilled to make a strong contribution.
"I think it's one of those things you're not thinking while you're out there, but it's talked about a lot in the change room," Mayes said of his record-breaking innings after the match.
"I'm like, boys, we need one of you to do this one day and you're like, yes, yes, I'm sure.
"And then it actually happens and it's all a bit of a surprise and to be honest, it's not quite sunk in yet."
Mayes came into bat after England had lost Ben Dawkins early and he wasted no time in taking the attack to the opposition. Mayes along with Joe Moores began an onslaught that saw them record a 188-run stand in about 22 overs.
Ben Mayes races to a brilliant century | U19 CWC 2026
England's Ben Mayes hits a high-tempo 65-ball century against Scotland at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
The 18-year-old Mayes had a lion’s share in the partnership as he continued to dominate the opposition bowlers. In his innings, he smashed 18 boundaries and smashed eight sixes to completely flatten the Scottish attack.
His knock meant England finished at 404/6 against Scotland, the sixth highest-score in the history of ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, and the highest in the tournament thus far.
England's bowlers were impressive as they dismissed Scotland for just 152 in reply to ensure the side qualified for the Super Six phase of the event.
"I think a lot of attention switched today for us because we know if we got a good win today, it might mean only needing to win one in the Super Sixes to go through (to the semi-finals)," Mayes added.
"So, I think we've put ourselves in a really strong position."