It was a semi-final for the ages at Bulawayo, as England U19 overcame a spirited Australian fightback to clinch a 27-run victory and storm into the final of the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2026. The contest, played on February 3, 2026, was a showcase of youthful talent, nerve, and drama, with both sides trading blows in a match that swung like a pendulum until the very last wicket.
England U19, having won the toss, opted to bat first—a decision that set the stage for a tense battle under the African sun. The pitch, described by both captains as offering inconsistent bounce and tending to spin as the day wore on, promised a stern test for batters and bowlers alike. England's skipper Thomas Rew noted before play, "We've had a bit of experience in this ground, so I think we're going to try and use that to the best of our ability today and look to go and post a good score."
Early on, though, it was Australia U19 who seized the initiative with the ball. The English openers struggled to find momentum, with Ben Dawkins falling for just one in the opening overs. The Powerplay was a cagey affair, England crawling to 51 for 1 by the 12th over, as the Australian bowlers—led by their captain Oliver Peake—applied relentless pressure.
England's innings looked in jeopardy as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. But cometh the hour, cometh the captain. Thomas Rew anchored the innings with a masterclass in composure and shot selection. He first steadied the ship with Caleb Falconer (who contributed a valuable 40), then accelerated at precisely the right moment. By the time Rew reached his fifty off 55 balls, England had begun to claw their way back, the run rate ticking over five an over.
The partnership between Rew and Falconer was crucial, laying the foundation for a late surge. Yet, Australia kept chipping away—Oliver Peake himself pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Falconer, a moment that briefly swung momentum back the Aussies' way. But Rew was relentless, surging to a 97-ball century and eventually falling for 110 after a direct-hit run out by Steven Hogan. His knock, described by many as "game-changing," allowed England to post a competitive 277 for 7 in their 50 overs, with Farhan Ahmed contributing a brisk 28 not out at the death.
Australia's reply began with promise. Openers Nitesh Samuel and Will Malajczuk looked assured, putting on 32 before Malajczuk was trapped lbw by Alex French's inswinging yorker. The English bowlers, especially Sebastian Morgan and Ralphie Albert, tightened the screws, making scoring difficult and forcing the Aussies into errors. Steven Hogan labored for his three runs before falling to James Minto, while England's bowlers kept the pressure high and the boundaries in check.
Still, the Australians refused to go quietly. Captain Oliver Peake, who had already made his presence felt in the field, now set about orchestrating one of the most valiant counterattacks of the tournament. Taking his time to settle, Peake built partnerships with Nitesh Samuel and Aryan Sharma, the latter smashing a quickfire 34 off 23 balls to inject energy into the chase. The pair lifted the scoring rate, and when Peake reached his fifty, hope flickered anew in the Australian camp.
But England's bowlers kept striking at crucial moments. Aryan Sharma fell attempting one big hit too many, caught at deep midwicket, and wickets tumbled in clusters—Hayden Schiller and Naden Cooray both dismissed cheaply as the run chase teetered on the brink. At 209 for 8 after 42.3 overs, it seemed the game was slipping away from Australia.
Yet, if you thought the drama was over, you don't know Australian cricket. Peake, now battling severe cramps in his forearm and palm, refused to surrender. With only No. 11 Will Byrom for company, he launched a miraculous assault on the English attack, blasting boundaries and running hard despite visible pain. In a display of sheer willpower and skill, Peake reached his century off 85 balls—a knock that had teammates, opponents, and fans alike on their feet.
With 28 needed from 18 balls, Peake had brought Australia within touching distance of an improbable win. But the task proved just too much. In the 48th over, Peake—clearly hampered by injury—lofted one straight to Ben Mayes at point, ending his heroic innings and Australia's hopes. England's players erupted in celebration, but first made sure to congratulate Peake for what many called a "superhuman effort." Australia finished all out for 250 in 47.3 overs.
England's victory was a testament to their resilience and team spirit, with key contributions from both bat and ball. Farhan Ahmed's 10 overs for 45 runs and a wicket, Sebastian Morgan's timely breakthroughs, and the fielding brilliance of Ben Mayes and BJ Dawkins (who took three catches) all played their part. The Young Lions' sportsmanship was on full display as they applauded Peake's knock before celebrating their passage to the final.
For Australia, it was heartbreak but also a performance to be proud of. Peake's 100 was the stuff of legend, Aryan Sharma's cameo added late drama, and the bowlers had earlier put England under real pressure. As Peake said before the match, "It's just about enjoying ourselves and seeing what we can do. We've got no pressure on us. There's nothing to lose." That spirit shone through, even in defeat.
The match also highlighted the tournament's standout performers—Ben Mayes, England's leading run-getter with 375 runs, and Manny Lumsden, the top wicket-taker with 13 wickets, both played their part in the semi-final. The head-to-head record still favors Australia (9 wins to England's 4), but on this day, it was the Young Lions who roared loudest.
Fans in India and around the world caught every moment live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, as the next generation of cricketing stars delivered a contest for the ages. With England U19 now set for the final, and Australia left to reflect on what might have been, the 2026 ICC Under 19 World Cup has already delivered memories that will last a lifetime.
As the dust settles in Bulawayo, all eyes turn to the final. If the semi-final is anything to go by, cricket fans are in for another treat.