Australia Secures Semi-final Spot with Thrilling Win Over West Indies

Australia's Under-19 cricket team has secured a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026, held in Zimbabwe. Captain Oliver Peake led from the front with a brilliant century, scoring 109 runs off 117 balls, guiding Australia to a formidable total of 314/7. Charles Lachmund's impressive bowling, with 4 wickets for 66 runs, helped Australia restrict West Indies to 292/9, securing a 22-run win. Peake's century was complemented by Nitesh Samuel's 56 and Will Malajczuk's 48, while Aryan Sharma and Hayden Schiller also contributed crucial wickets. R'Jai Gittens took two key wickets at the top including that of Malajczuk. Jakeem Pollard, with 2 for 37, was the most economical bowler and had the best figures for West Indies. West Indies got off to a strong start and were in front for the first half of the chase. It started with an 88-run opening stand between Zachary Carter and Tanez Francis followed by a brisk 35-run partnership between Carter and Jewel Andrew. Australia remains undefeated in the tournament, and their victory sets up a semi-final clash against the runners-up of the other group, likely to be either England or India.