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Captain Thomas Rew made a battling century as England booked their place in Friday’s final of the Under-19 World Cup with a 27-run win over Australia.<\/b><\/p>\n
England had looked in a perilous position at 60-3 following the dismissal of both openers and Ben Mayes, the tournament’s leading scorer, for 24 after Rew had won the toss and decided to bat.<\/p>\n
However, the 18-year-old hit a composed 107-ball 110 to help England post a competitive 277-7 from their 50 overs.<\/p>\n
Rew’s innings featured 14 fours and one six as he shared a valuable 135-run stand with Caleb Falconer, who chipped in with a patient 40 off 53 balls.<\/p>\n
Somerset wicketkeeper-batter Rew was dismissed in the 43rd over after Farhan Ahmed called him through for a risky single and Steven Hogan threw down the stumps at the striker’s end.<\/p>\n
Ahmed made partial amends by again giving England’s innings some late impetus with another cameo as he finished unbeaten on 28 off 26 balls.<\/p>\n
Hayden Schiller finished the pick of the Australia bowlers with 2-31, including a peach of a delivery to bowl Mayes.<\/p>\n
Australia had looked in a comfortable position at 109-2 after a dogged 47 off 83 balls from opener Nitesh Samuel.<\/p>\n
But when Samuel was stumped by Rew off the bowling of left-arm spinner Ralphie Albert it opened the door for England. <\/p>\n
Manny Lumsden removed Alex Lee-Young and Jayden Draper in quick succession as Australia lost three middle-order wickets for 25 runs.<\/p>\n
Oliver Peake steadied the ship for England with a defiant half-century off 55 balls.<\/p>\n
The game looked to be England’s for the taking when Albert removed Australia’s eighth wicket with the score on 207 only for Peake to up the ante.<\/p>\n
Peake took 22 runs off a Lumsden over then brought up a century off 85 balls shortly after Charles Lachmund was bowled by Sebastian Morgan.<\/p>\n
With 28 needed off 16 balls and just one wicket in hand, Peake sliced a drive off James Minto into the hands of Mayes at point and England’s players celebrated.<\/p>\n
England have won the U19 World Cup once – in 1998 – and were beaten finalists in 2022. They will play either India or Afghanistan in Friday’s final (07:30 GMT).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n