ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026: Unbeaten Australia books semifinal spot with Super Six win over West Indies
Defending champion Australia became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 with a 22-run win over West Indies in the Super Six stage of the tournament at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.
After being asked to bat first, Australia posted a mammoth 314 for seven in 50 overs thanks to captain Oliver Peake’s 109 off 117 balls. The platform for the big total was laid by openers Will Malajczuk (48) and Nitesh Samuel (56), who added 73 runs in just nine overs for the first wicket.
Though right-arm pacer R’ Jai Gittens removed Malajczuk and Steven Hogan in quick succession, Samuel and Peake steadied the ship with a 85-run partnership.
Peake, who was dismissed off the last ball of Australia’s innings, also struck crucial alliances with Alex Lee Young and Jayden Draper to guide his team to a match-winning total.
West Indies started the run chase with promise as openers Tanez Francis and Zachary Carter put on an 88-run alliance for the first wicket. The middle-order, comprising Jewel Andrew (44), captain Joshua Dorne (62), Kunal Tilokani (35) and Jonathan van Lange (26), made handy contributions to propel West Indies to 285 for five in the 48th over.
However, with the asking rate climbing, West Indies lost its last four wickets for just seven runs, and eventually fell well short of the target.
Right-arm fast bowler Charles Lachmund was once again the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/66 in nine overs.
While Australia qualified for the semifinals from Group 1, West Indies was knocked out of the tournament, along with South Africa and Ireland, who are in the same group. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka remain in contention to grab the second semifinal spot from Group 1.
BRIEF SCORES
Australia 314/7 in 50 overs (Will Malajczuk 48, Nitesh Samuel 56, Oliver Peake 109, Alex Lee Young 45) beat West Indies 292/9 in 50 overs (Zachary Carter 64, Jewel Andrew 44, Joshua Dorne 62, Charles Lachmund 4/66).
Published on Jan 28, 2026
