That Under-19 World Cup game between England and New Zealand on January 30, 2026, in Bulawayo? It was a big one for England’s Under-19 team. They played great cricket and beat New Zealand by 65 runs. This win just made their run even better, showing they’re a well-rounded team in the competition.

This match had everything you’d expect from a big Under-19 World Cup game: good batting, smart bowling, and some seriously impressive individual moments. Manny Lumsden taking five wickets was the big story, but England set things up nicely earlier in the day.

England Under-19s Put Up a Solid Score

New Zealand chose to bowl first after winning the toss, and England played it smart. It wasn’t easy to score on that pitch, so they focused on building partnerships. Ben Dawkins played a steady innings, scoring 42 runs and making sure they didn’t lose too many wickets early on.

Joseph Moores and Ben Mayes kept the momentum going, rotating the strike and hitting the bad balls. Mayes’ 53 runs were important, not because he was smashing it everywhere, but because he was in control, letting England score at a good rate without losing too many wickets. Caleb Falconer chipped in with a quick 47 to keep things moving in the middle overs.

Then, Farhan Ahmed came in and gave them a boost at the end with 29 runs off 23 balls. He timed his hitting well, pushing England to a total of 234 for 7. It always felt like a tricky score to chase on that pitch, especially with England’s good bowling attack.

New Zealand’s Chase Starts Fast but Falls Apart

New Zealand came out swinging, with Aryan Mann hitting a quickfire 13, but he got out in the second over, and that started a collapse. England bowled really well, keeping it tight and making the batters work hard for every run.

When Hugo Bogue and Tom Jones got out early, New Zealand was in trouble. Snehith Reddy tried to steady the ship with 47 runs, but they were still behind the rate. Plus, England’s fielding was sharp, cutting off easy runs.

Manny Lumsden’s Bowling Changes Everything

The key moment was Manny Lumsden’s awesome spell. He came on when New Zealand was trying to rebuild and just ripped through the middle and lower order. His figures of 5 for 17 were amazing – he had great control and mixed things up nicely.

Lumsden got the ball to move and bounce, and New Zealand just couldn’t handle it. Every wicket he took made it feel like the game was slipping away from them. Getting rid of key batters like Tom Jones, Jaskaran Sandhu, and Harry Burns meant there was no coming back.

England’s Bowling Attack Seals the Deal

Lumsden got the Player of the Match award, but it was really a team effort from England’s bowlers. Sebastian Morgan took a couple of wickets, Alex Green kept the pressure on, and Farhan Ahmed bowled tightly. The fielders were great too, taking catches and saving runs, and it all added up to England being in control.

New Zealand ended up getting bowled out for 169 in just under 39 overs, well short of the target. The 65-run win showed that England not only played better but also knew their roles and understood the game situation.

What We Saw and What People Are Saying

This win was England Under-19s’ fourth in a row in the Super Sixes, which puts them at the top of the group. Manny Lumsden’s five-wicket haul was one of the best bowling performances of the tournament so far.

New Zealand will be disappointed with their Super Sixes campaign. Snehith Reddy showed some good signs, but they just couldn’t build partnerships or handle the pressure.

Anything Controversial?

It was a pretty clean game, with no major arguments. The umpires made good decisions, and there weren’t any reviews. The only real question was whether New Zealand should have bowled first, which might have put them on the back foot against England’s strong batting lineup.

My Thoughts

This game felt like England was showing everyone what they’re capable of. They played like they were more experienced than they are, adapting to the conditions and sticking to their plans. Lumsden will get the praise, but England’s composure was what stood out the most. New Zealand tried hard, but they just didn’t have an answer once England took charge. It showed the difference between a team that’s hitting its stride and one that’s struggling for consistency.

What’s Next?

England Under-19s look ready for the next stage. Manny Lumsden will be full of confidence, and he’s likely to be important in the upcoming matches. Ben Mayes and Caleb Falconer should continue to be key players in the batting lineup, and Farhan Ahmed’s hitting at the end could be crucial in close games.

New Zealand Under-19s will need to rebuild some confidence and figure out the best combinations for future tournaments. Players like Snehith Reddy and Jaskaran Sandhu have shown some things, but they need to be more consistent.