Quick Match Recap

Wow, what a game! On January 28, 2026, in Harare, Australia U-19 barely squeezed by West Indies U-19, winning by just 22 runs in their Super Sixes match at the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup. The game swung back and forth, with great leadership moments and tons of pressure at the end. Australia locked in their spot in the semi-finals – shows how good they are at this level.

Aussie U-19s Set the Stage

After losing the toss and batting first, Australia smashed 314 for 7. Captain Oliver Peake led the charge with a ton. The West Indies came out swinging, but even though they reached 292 for 9, they just couldn’t quite catch up.

Australia came out hot to start their innings, which totally set the tone. Will Malajczuk hit a quick 48 off 30 balls, hitting it clean and forcing the West Indies to rethink their bowling early on.

After Malajczuk got out, Nitesh Samuel played it cool, scoring 56 off 74 balls. He kept things steady, which let the guys in the middle order go wild later.

But it was Captain Oliver Peake’s show. He came in at number four and played with so much class. He knew when to push it and when to chill, and he really took advantage of bad balls. His 109 off 117 balls was the backbone of the innings and, in the end, made all the difference.

Middle Order Pitching In

It wasn’t just Peake who scored big. Alex Lee Young hit 45, and Jayden Draper added 29 near the end, making sure Australia kept the run rate up. This stopped West Indies from getting back in the game and got Australia past that 300 mark.

The West Indies bowlers had good moments, with Jakeem Pollard getting the best numbers at 2 for 37. R’Jai Gittens also grabbed two wickets but couldn’t keep it consistent, so Australia kept the pressure on.

West Indies Start Strong

Hunting down 315 is always tough, but the West Indies started out fearless. Tanez Francis and Zachary Carter smashed 88 runs together to open, putting Australia on their heels for a bit. Carter looked amazing, especially, blasting a fast 64 off 42 balls, mixing timing with power shots.

Jewel Andrew kept the momentum going with a smooth 44, keeping the score within reach. At the halfway mark, the West Indies looked like they had it, with wickets to spare and tons of confidence.

The Game Changes

Things started to turn when Australia’s bowlers got their act together. Joshua Dorne scored a steady 62, but it took him 97 balls, pushing the required run rate higher and higher. This slow-down really hurt the West Indies after their early energy.

Australia also upped their fielding game, cutting off easy runs and forcing the batters to take risks. This pressure led to key wickets, slowing the chase when they needed to speed up.

Lachmund Leads the Charge

Charles Lachmund was the hero for Australia with the ball. His 4 for 66 doesn’t tell the whole story, since his wickets came at the best times. He took out key batters and broke up partnerships, making sure the West Indies never really got back on track.

Hayden Schiller and Aryan Sharma both chipped in with two wickets each. Naden Cooray also bowled economically, giving up only 38 runs in ten overs and getting rid of Carter.

Last-Minute Drama

With ten overs left, the West Indies needed 83 runs with seven wickets still in hand. What happened next was a total collapse. Trying to speed things up, they mistimed shots and got out softly, losing five wickets for just 52 runs.

Even though Jonathan van Lange and Jakeem Pollard tried to get them back in it, the required rate was just too high. Australia kept it together in the final overs, winning by 22 runs and heading to the semi-finals.

Match Standouts

Oliver Peake’s century was a top performance at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, showing off his leadership and skill. The way he batted under pressure points to a bright future for him in Australian cricket.

Australia making the semi-finals first just confirms their reputation as one of the best Under-19 World Cup teams out there. For the West Indies, Zachary Carter’s quick hitting and Joshua Dorne’s steady innings were bright spots, even with the loss.

What Everyone’s Talking About

There weren’t any major incidents during the match, but people are talking about the West Indies’ approach in the middle overs. Some think Dorne was too slow, while others say they just didn’t have enough options for hitting boundaries against tight bowling.

The West Indies’ batting and bowling at the end of the innings is also being questioned, since missing chances at key moments really decided the game.

My Thoughts

Tactically, Australia won because they were smarter about the game. They knew when to attack and when to hold back, especially when the pressure was on. Oliver Peake really set the tone, proving that good leadership can really change things at the Under-19 level.

The West Indies came out strong, but they have a hard time keeping momentum going during long chases. They’ve got talent, no doubt, but they need to make better choices when the pressure is high.

This game also shows why it’s important for everyone to contribute on a youth cricket team. Australia didn’t just rely on one star; they got contributions from all over.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Oliver Peake will be Australia’s main batter in the semi-finals, and Charles Lachmund’s speed and control could be a big deal on slower fields. Alex Lee Young has been consistent, so he might be ready for a big score when the stakes are even higher.

For the West Indies, Zachary Carter looks ready for another big inning if he can stay in longer. Joshua Dorne’s leadership will be important as his team tries to regroup and stay in the tournament.

If Australia can stay focused and adjust, they’ll be tough to beat in the knockouts. The West Indies are still dangerous, but they need to be sharper when it really counts.