Under-19 Cricket World Cup: Thomas Rio helped England reach the final with a 27-point lead over Australia

Captain Thomas Rio hit a fighting century as England booked their place in the Under-19 World Cup final on Friday with a 27-run win over Australia.

England looked in a perilous position at 60-3 after dismissing both openers and Ben Mayes, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, for 24 after Rio won the toss and decided to bat.

However, the 18-year-old slammed a 107-ball 110 to help England to 277-7 in the contest from their 50 overs.

Rew’s innings included 14 fours and one six as he shared a valuable 135-run stand with Caleb Falconer, who chipped in with a patient 40 off 53 balls.

Somerset wicket-keeper-batsman Rio was dismissed in the 43rd over after Farhan Ahmed called him on for a risky single and Stephen Hogan threw the stumps at the striker’s end.

Ahmed made a partial adjustment by giving England’s innings some late impetus again with another cameo as he finished the match unbeaten with 28 off 26 balls.

Hayden Schiller finished off the pick of the Australian bowlers with 2-31, including a Peach delivery to Bowl Mayes.

Australia looked comfortable at 109-2 after 47 off 83 balls from opener Nitish Samuel.

But when Rio Samuel was stunned off the bowling of left-arm spinner Ralphie Albert, it opened the door for England.

Manny Lumsden removed Alex Lee-Young and Jayden Draper in quick succession as Australia lost three middle-order wickets for 25 runs.

Oliver Beck steadied the ship for England with a defiant half-century off 55 balls.

The match looked like a match for England when Albert removed Australia’s eighth wicket at the score of 207 only for Beck to up the ante.

Peake took 22 runs off Lumsden and then brought up a century off 85 balls soon after Charles Lachmund was bowled by Sebastian Morgan.

With 28 needed from 16 balls and only one wicket in hand, Beck clipped a shot from James Minto into Mayes’ hands at point and the England bowlers celebrated.

“It feels great,” Ryu said. “I spoke to the boys and told them to enjoy it.

“The method is ole [Peake] The batting was unbelievable but getting over the line is special. I was nervous at the end but I backed the bowlers, that’s what they train for – pinning these bowlers back under pressure.

England have won the Under-19 World Cup once – in 1998 – and lost in the final in 2022. They will play either India or Afghanistan in the final on Friday (07:30 GMT).

There will be ball-by-ball commentary of the final on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website and app.