Defending champions and four-time winners Australia U19 became the first team to secure the Semi-final spot for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026 after beating West Indies U19 in a close Super 6 fixture at Harare on Wednesday (28 January).
After the West Indies U19 chose to field first, Australia U19 scored 314/7 in 50 overs. In reply, the West Indies U19 were all out for 292/9 in 50 overs, as the Australian colts won by 22 runs to confirm their spot for the Semi-finals of the tournament. Meanwhile, the West Indies U19 have been eliminated, while South Africa U19 and Ireland U19 are already out of the tournament, despite both teams yet to play one of the respective Super 6 matches.
It is now the battle between Afghanistan U19 and Sri Lanka U19, as only one of them can qualify for the Semifinals from the Group 1 Super 6 stage. While Sri Lanka will face South Africa (29 January), Afghanistan will face Ireland (30 January) in their respective last Super 6 games, as both teams are eyeing the fixtures as must-win with improving net run rates.
Australia U19 vs West Indies U19: Captain Oliver Peake scored a century
Talking about AUS U19 vs WI U19 fixture, Australian openers Will Malajczuk and Nitesh Samuel had a 73-run opening partnership. Will scored 48 off 30 balls (eight fours and two sixes), and Nitesh scored 56 off 74 balls with six fours. Nitesh had a crucial 85-run partnership for the third wicket with the skipper Oliver Peake, who batted till the final ball of the innings.
Oliver scored a brilliant century as he scored 109 off 117 balls with nine fours and one six. He also got two important helps from the middle-order batters Alex Lee Young (45) and Jayden Draper (29).
Among the Caribbean bowlers, Jakeem Pollard (2/37) and R'Jai Gittens (2/45) got two wickets each.
Australia U19 vs West Indies U19: Top 6 Caribbean batters scored 25+ runs
In reply, the West Indies batters replied strongly as all the top six batters managed 25+ scores, and they had crucial partnerships. Only they failed to cope with the required run rate in the slog overs of the innings. Opener Zachary Carter scored 64 off 42 balls with seven fours and four sixes, while he had an 88-run first-wicket partnership with his opening partner Tanez Francis (27).
Also, Jewel Andrew (44) and captain Joshua Dorne (62) played important knocks along with Kunal Tilokani (35) and Jonathan van Lange (26).
Among the Aussie bowlers, Charles Lachmund (4/66) picked up four wickets, while Aryan Sharma (2/47) and Hayden Schiller (2/54) had two wickets each.
ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2026: Super 6 – Group 1
Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate |
1 | Australia U19 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1.950 |
2 | Afghanistan U19 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1.020 |
3 | Sri Lanka U19 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | –0.180 |
4 | West Indies U19 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | –0.421 |
5 | South Africa U19 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | –1.116 |
6 | Ireland U19 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | –1.344 |
