KEY POINTS
- Ben Mayes smashed 191 runs off 117 balls to set England U19’s highest-ever ODI total.
- England secure massive 252-run victory, one of largest margins in tournament history.
HARARE, Zimbabwe: England’s Under-19 team announced themselves as serious title contenders with a staggering 252-run demolition of Scotland in the ICC U19 World Cup on Wednesday, a victory built on the back of a colossal total of 404 for 6.
Walking in at 12-1 in the third over, English batter Ben Mayes signalled his intent by hitting his fourth ball for four.
He barely slowed down, reaching a half-century off 32 balls, a century off 65, and 150 off just 98 deliveries.
His acceleration was staggering, with each fifty coming at a similar, rapid pace.
He launched three sixes in seven balls as he chased a monumental score, before being dismissed for a breathtaking 191 runs off 117 balls in the 46th over.
It is now the highest individual score by an England batter in youth ODIs, surpassing the previous record of 174.
It also stands as the joint-fourth highest in all youth ODI history and the joint-second highest ever scored at an Under-19 World Cup.
The century itself, from 65 balls, also set a new England U19 record for the fastest ton.
Fuelled by his heroics, England posted a mammoth 404/6, their highest-ever total in youth ODIs and the sixth-highest in the tournament’s history.
Scotland, in reply, were bowled out for 152, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the task.
At just 18 years old and with senior professional experience for Hampshire already under his belt, Mayes announced himself on the global stage with an innings that will be remembered as one of the most dominant in the competition’s history.
Ben received formidable support from Joseph Moores, who contributed a fluent half-century.
England dominated every phase of play, from the powerplays to the death overs, punishing loose bowling and maintaining a relentless scoring rate to post one of the highest totals in the tournament’s history.
Bowlers complete comprehensive rout
Faced with a daunting required run rate from the outset, Scotland’s chase never gained traction.
While there was brief middle-order resistance, England’s bowling attack maintained relentless discipline and pressure, taking wickets at regular intervals.
Scotland was eventually bundled out for 152 in the 45th over, succumbing to the sheer weight of the scoreboard pressure.
The margin of victory, one of the largest in the tournament, underscored the complete dominance of the English performance. Finlay Carter was the leading run getter (34 off 55).
