Australia’s Under-19 team has booked their semifinal ticket for the 2026 World Cup after outclassing West Indies by 22 runs in a Super Six Group 1 showdown in Harare. Skipper Oliver Peak’s heroic century was the standout performance in a batting masterclass that overwhelmed the opposition.
Sent in to bat, Australia openers Will Malajczuk and Nitesh Samuel attacked from ball one, racing to 73 in 9 overs. Malajczuk fell for a quickfire 48 (30 balls, 8×4, 2×6), but Samuel’s composed 56 (74 balls, 6×4) paired perfectly with Peak’s 109 (117 balls, 9×4, 1×6) for an 85-run stand.
Peak continued his brilliance, adding crucial runs with Alex Lee Young (45; 69-run partnership) and Zaden Draper (29; 47 runs), helping post 314/7. West Indies’ Pollard and Gittens took two wickets each, but the total proved too steep.
West Indies’ reply began brightly: Zachary Carter (64) and Tanez Francis (27) amassed 88 runs. Captain Joshua Dorne’s 62, Jewel Andrew’s 44, and Kunal Tilokani’s 35 kept them in the hunt, but Australia’s bowlers struck back. Charles Latchamun claimed 4 wickets, Schiller and Sharma 2 apiece, restricting WI to 292/9.
Group leaders Australia now gear up for Semifinal 2 on February 3 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, with South Africa and Ireland out of the running.