England through to U19 World Cup semi-finals

Under-19 World Cup, Super Six Group 2, Bulawayo

England 234-7 (50.0 overs): Mayes 53 (70); Reddy 2-28

New Zealand 169 (38.5 overs): Reddy 47 (65); Lumsden 5-17

England won by 65 runs

Manny Lumsden took five wickets as England booked their spot in the semi-finals of the men’s Under-19 World Cup with a 65-run over New Zealand.

Hampshire seamer Lumsden bowled superbly on a slow pitch at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo to finish with impressive figures of 5-17 as the Kiwis were bowled out for 169 in pursuit of 235.

England will play either Australia or Afghanistan in the semi-finals on 3 or 4 February depending on how India perform in their final group game of the Super Six stage against Pakistan.

India are currently in second spot with six points but have a superior net run-rate (+3.337) compared to England’s (+1.757), with the group winners facing Afghanistan and the runners-up playing the Aussies.

“It’s nice to win and know we are through. We are looking forward to the semi-finals now,” said England captain Thomas Rew.

“Manny has been good all tournament. He’s bowled quick and been aggressive, having firepower like that is a great asset.”

England compiled a patient 234-7 after being asked to bat first by the Kiwis on a tricky deck.

Ben Dawkins made 42 as he and fellow opener Joseph Moores put on 48 for the first wicket to give England a solid platform.

Dawkins then shared a stand for the same amount with tournament leading runscorer Ben Mayes, who top scored for England with 53 off 70 balls.

Caleb Falconer (47) and Farhan Ahmed (29) provided some late impetus as Snehith Reddy took 2-28 for the Black Caps.

Lumsden did the early damage for England with the ball when he removed the dangerous Hugo Bogue and Kiwi captain Tom Jones in the eighth over.

Reddy provided some resistance with a stoic 47 off 65 balls, while Jaskaran Sandhu chipped in with 26 before he became Lumsden’s third wicket.

Lumsden then returned to wrap up the victory when he bowled Harry Burns and Hunter Shore in consecutive deliveries.

“It’s a great result and I’m really proud of how we stuck at it with the bat. We knew 230 or 240 would be a good score,” Rew added.