Bulawayo, Feb 3 (UNI) England rode on a captain’s knock from Thomas Rew to outlast a valiant century by Australian skipper Oliver Peake and secure a 27-run victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup semifinal at the Queens Sports Club here on Tuesday.
On a slow, turning pitch with uneven bounce, Rew struck a composed 110 off 107 balls to guide England to a competitive 277 for 7 after early setbacks. Australia, despite Peake’s lone-handed effort of 100, were bowled out for 250 in 47.3 overs.
England had stumbled to 60 for 3 after opting to bat, but Rew steadied the innings with a crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 135 runs with Caleb Falconer (40), wresting control from the Australian bowlers. Rew brought up his half-century off 46 balls and accelerated thereafter, reaching his hundred with a single to long-on. Though run out for 110, his innings laid the foundation for England’s total, with Farhan Ahmed adding late impetus through an unbeaten 28.
In reply, Australia lost early wickets, with Alex French striking in the powerplay. Steven Hogan struggled for runs, while Nitesh Samuel’s 47 failed to provide momentum as Australia slipped to 116 for 4. Walking in at No. 5, Peake launched a counter-attack, reaching his half-century off 55 balls and later his century off 85 deliveries, keeping the chase alive despite dwindling support and mounting physical strain.
Peake, battling cramps and running out of partners, continued to fight with aggressive strokes late in the innings, but his dismissal in the 48th over signalled the end of Australia’s resistance. England’s disciplined bowling in the closing stages ensured they held their nerve to seal a place in the final.
With the win, England advanced to the Under-19 World Cup final, where they will face the winners of Wednesday’s semifinal between India and Afghanistan.
Brief scores:
England 277/7 in 50 overs (Thomas Rew 110, Caleb Falconer 40; Hayden Schiller 2/31) beat Australia 250 in 47.3 overs (Oliver Peake 100; James Minto 2/30, Sebastian Morgan 2/33) by 27 runs.
