England out to match 1998 side by winning Under-19 World Cup
Centurion Thomas Rew is eyeing off a place in history as he aims to lead England to a second Men's Under-19 World Cup title.
England captain Thomas Rew knows the job is not done as he aims to lead the side to a second title at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup.
The European team booked their place in the final of this year's Under-19 World Cup with a narrow victory over Australia in Bulawayo on Tuesday and are now just one win away from matching their title winning exploits from 1998 under the captaincy of future international all-rounder Owais Shah.
England clinch a nervy win to head into finals | Match Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
England overcome a fighting Australia by 27 runs to become the first finalists of the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026.
Rew was England's match-winner against the Aussies as the right-hander amassed a superb century in a Player of the Match performance and the 18-year-old is determined to build on that performance and help the side lift the coveted trophy against either India or Afghanistan in Friday's title decider.
"Yeah, it means a lot," Rew said after the win over Australia.
"We came into this tournament with one aspiration and now there is one more game left.
"I think we've all had dreams of this World Cup and lifting the trophy. So it's just another game of cricket for us."
Thomas Rew stars in England's win | POTM Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
England skipper Thomas Rew's century proves decisive against their win over Australia at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026. Watch the highlights of his Player of the Match performance.
While Rew has promised to treat the final like any other game of cricket, the talented youngster is also keen to improve on his match-winning exploits against the Aussies where he compiled a brilliant innings of 110 from just 107 deliveries as England posted a strong score of 277/7.
Rew was angry at himself for getting out in the 43rd over and wants to ensure one of England's set batters remains at the crease during the last few overs in Friday's final.
"I feel like we still need a batter in the last five overs. That was my fault today," Rew noted.
"I think that's just a silly dismissal with seven overs left in the game. If I can bat another five (overs) there, I think that makes a big difference. But I think we've done really well this competition to stick to our game plan."
Peake fights hard with a century | Player Highlights | U19 CWC 2026
Watch the highlights of Australia skipper Oliver Peake's fighting knock of 100 runs off 88 balls against England at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026.
Australia captain Ollie Peake matched Rew's heroics with the bat during the run chase as he managed a century of his own to keep the Aussies in the hunt, but the left-hander was the last wicket to fall in the 48th over as England clinched the spot in the final.
It was Peake's second century of the tournament and the 19-year-old admitted England were a little bit too good for his side on the day.
"It was a disappointing result but I guess you can cop it on the chin a bit when the team just outplays you," Peake said.
"I don't think anything was wrong with our preparation, or the team we picked, or anything like that. I just think England played better than us on the day and I guess that makes it a bit easier to swallow."