England U19 captain Thomas Rew century sets Australia 277 to chase for a place in the Under 19 cricket final

England Under-19 captain Thomas Rew scored a brilliant 110, anchoring his side to a competitive total of 277, which they set for Australia to chase for a place in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final.

The match, played on a bright, sunny, and hot day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, in Tuesday saw a fourth-wicket partnership of 135 between Rew and Caleb Falconer, laying the foundation for a strong total.

Rew led from the front, playing immaculate shots all around the wicket, punishing loose deliveries and putting the Australian bowlers under pressure. He reached his century through 13 fours and one six, bringing England to 217/4 in 38.5 overs.

Rew came to the crease when England was wobbling after losing opener Ben Dawkins in the second over for just one run, caught off William Byrom’s bowling at first slip, where Australian skipper Oliver Peake was fielding.

England looked to have gained momentum with the score on 57, but Joe Moores was trapped LBW by Aryan Sharma in the 12.2 over. Moores had hit the previous ball for six. Rew then took command.

A yorker from Hayden Schiller removed Ben Mayes for 24 on the last ball of the 14th over, bringing Falconer to join Rew. The captain immediately asserted his intent, pulling Nadeen Cooray for a four at long on. The pair steadied the innings, building a 135-run partnership, with Rew dominating the scoring.

The partnership ended when Falconer was caught at cover by Peake for 40, with the score at 195/4 in 36 overs. Rew reached his century in the 38.4 over with a punch to long on, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd. He saluted his teammates, the fans, and his parents in acknowledgement.

Rew’s innings ended with a run out after attempting a quick single, but excellent fielding by Stephen Hogan saw him dismissed by a direct hit. He finished on 110 from 107 balls, with 14 fours and one six, at a strike rate of 102.8.

England had lost Ralphie Albert for 15 before Rew’s dismissal. With the foundation set, Farhan Ahmed and Sebastian Morgan played freely, increasing the run rate and taking England to a commanding 277.

For Australia, Hayden Schiller and Nadeen Cooray led the bowling, taking two wickets each. Schiller dismissed Ben Mayes and Sebastian Morgan, finishing with 2 for 31, while Cooray removed Falconer and Albert in a probing ten-over spell for 2 for 49. William Byrom provided the early breakthrough by dismissing Dawkins, and Aryan Sharma trapped Moores LBW, keeping England’s total competitive but leaving the contest finely balanced.

The Australians will not be fazed, having shown their batting strength, setting up an intriguing second half of the match.
Fall of wickets

Ben Dawkins 3/1 (1.5), Joe Moores 57/2 (12.2), Ben Mayes 60/3 (14), Caleb Falconer 195/4 (36), Ralphie Albert 226/5 (40.3), Thomas Rew 236/6 (42.2), Sebastian Morgan 266/7 (48.3).
Teams

England Under-19 (Playing XI) – Ben Dawkins, Joe Moores, Ben Mayes, Thomas Rew (C/WK), Caleb Falconer, Ralphie Albert, Farhan Ahmed, Sebastian Morgan, James Minto, Manny Lumsden, Alex French (in for Alex Green).
Australia Under-19 (Playing XI) – Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Steven Hogan, Oliver Peake (C), Alex Lee Young (WK), Jayden Draper, Aryan Sharma, Hayden Schiller, Nadeen Cooray, William Byrom (in for Ben Gordon), Charles Lachmund.