England U19 Storm to Two Straight Wins: Captain Thomas Rew Stars with Unbeaten 86 at World Cup

England's Under-19 side have positioned themselves as genuine contenders at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026, securing their second consecutive victory with a comprehensive eight-wicket triumph over Zimbabwe.

Match Overview

The young English lions extended their unbeaten run in Group C with a polished all-round display against Zimbabwe. After restricting their opponents to under 210, England's batters made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 28 overs with eight wickets in hand.

This victory, following their 37-run win against Pakistan in the tournament opener, has set England up perfectly to top their group heading into the Super Six stage.

Batting Performance: Rew and Mayes Dominate

Captain Thomas Rew produced a scintillating knock of 86 not out from just 66 deliveries, showcasing the aggressive intent that has defined England's approach at this tournament. His innings was marked by intelligent shot selection and the confidence befitting a captain leading from the front.

Ben Mayes proved the perfect foil, contributing an unbeaten 77 off 72 balls. The duo combined for a match-defining 167-run partnership for the third wicket, effectively ending the contest as a meaningful competition.

"We were just trying to enjoy it. We spoke a little bit about taking down the bowlers down wind... a short boundary, thinking about how we can target that, pressure them from that end and then from the other end, just rotate strike. But yeah, we're both aggressive naturally... we were just quite happy banging on with it."

— Thomas Rew

Bowling Performance: Lumsden Leads the Attack

England's bowling unit faced a stern examination from Zimbabwe's middle-order but demonstrated the resilience needed to succeed in knockout cricket. Manny Lumsden was the standout performer with impressive figures of 3/38 from his full allocation of 10 overs.

The bowlers had to dig deep against some determined Zimbabwe resistance, but their ability to break partnerships at crucial moments kept the opposition total within manageable limits.

"I think the way that we came back and broke those partnerships and then just banged away at the top of the stumps. The wicket was definitely better than when we played on it previously, but I think our bowlers did a great job to restrict them to under 210."

— Thomas Rew

Captain's Leadership Shines Through

Thomas Rew is emerging as one of the tournament's most influential figures, combining astute captaincy with match-winning performances. His ability to marshal his bowling resources effectively while delivering with the bat demonstrates maturity beyond his years.

The 19-year-old's calm demeanor and tactical awareness have been evident throughout England's opening fixtures, setting the tone for what the team hopes will be a deep tournament run.

Team Confidence and Group Dynamics

The atmosphere within the England camp appears exceptionally positive following their perfect start.

"We're all very happy inside the group. To go two-from-two and take a bit of momentum into the final group game, yeah we're in a good spot."

— Thomas Rew

The captain emphasized the team's measured approach despite their strong position:

"Definitely targeting the top of the group, but we try to take every game at a time, not be complacent."

Looking Ahead: Scotland Test Awaits

England will face Scotland on Wednesday in their final Group C fixture, with top spot in the group firmly within their grasp. A victory would cement their position as group winners and potentially provide a more favorable pathway through the Super Six stage.

"We've obviously still got Scotland on Wednesday, which is going to be a good game out here again. So, looking forward to that."

— Thomas Rew

With momentum on their side and key players hitting form at the perfect time, England are shaping up as serious contenders to lift the U19 World Cup trophy.