England captain Thomas Rew scored a brilliant century to guide his side into the Under-19 World Cup final with a 27-run win over Australia.
England had been in trouble at 60-3 after losing both openers and Ben Mayes for 24, but Rew’s composed 110 off 107 balls, featuring 14 fours and a six, helped England post a strong 277-7. He shared a crucial 135-run partnership with Caleb Falconer, who scored 40.
Australia looked in control at 109-2 thanks to opener Nitesh Samuel’s 47, but Rew’s wicketkeeping and bowling breakthroughs, along with quick middle-order wickets from Manny Lumsden, swung the game back to England. Oliver Peake added a determined 50, helping England hold on in the tense final overs.
Rew said: “It’s a great feeling… I was nervous at the end but I backed the bowlers to do their job under pressure.”
England, who won the U19 World Cup in 1998 and were beaten finalists in 2022, will face either India or Afghanistan in Friday’s final.
