![Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 175 (80) [Source:BCCI/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770385578454_VaibhavSuryavanshiU19WCfinal.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 175 (80) [Source:BCCI/X.com]
In a battle of two unbeaten teams in the tournament, India met England in the U19 World Cup Final at the Harare Sports Club, Harare, on February 6.
To reach the final, England's captain Thomas Rew scored a magnificent century against Australia to win the semi-final 1 by 27 runs. On the other hand, it was Aaron George's 115 (104), which led India to the big game with a 311-run chase at the same venue.
As India lifted their 6th ICC U19 World Cup title, here's how the match unfolded in Harare.
Vaibhav sets India up for a mammoth total with a century
Indian cricket's latest starboy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, had scored 3 fifties in the competition ahead of the final. However, the three-figure mark eluded him throughout the campaign, and the southpaw chose the perfect occasion to step up and get his team to a strong first innings total after winning the toss.
India lost semi-final centurion Aaron George early in the innings, when the score read 20/1 at the end of 4 overs. Walked in the Ayush Mhatre, who looked high on confidence after his fifty in the previous game and scored seven fours and two sixes to end the tournament with a 53(51) knock. During his stay at the crease, he added 142(90) with Suryavanshi.
Despite the skipper's wicket, Suryavanshi kept the momentum and went past the century in just 55 balls. Subsequently, he went berserk and scored 27 off Ralphie Albert's single over to eventually reach the 150-run mark in 71 balls. He kept the attack on and got another 20 from a Sebastian Morgan over but eventually fell for 175 (80) with 15 fours and 15 sixes.
Minto helps England consolidate
After being taken for cleaners by the left-handed opener, England managed to dismiss him at 25.3, thanks to their highest wicket-taker, Manny Lumsden. James Minto dismissed three middle-order batters and helped England restrict India to a smaller total than what was expected.
Abhigyan Kundu added 40 (31), alongside 30s from Vedant Trivedi, Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chouhan to take India past the 400 run mark. Left-arm pacer James Minto was the pick of England's bowlers with 3/63. Morgan and Alex Green picked up 2 wickets each.
Dawkins gives England early hopes
England openers took a couple of overs to see how the pitch reacted before Ben Dawkins got to a quick fifty, despite losing Joseph Moores in the 5th over. Tournament's leading run-getter Ben Mayes combined with Dawkins as they stitched a 74-run stand for the second wicket.
The dangerous-looking Mayes was dismissed by Khilan Patel for 45(28) with 7 fours and two sixes. Captain Thomas Rew carried the momentum and scored 4 fours and a six in his cameo of 31 off 18 before Kanishk Chouhan got rid of him with a straight shot to Mhatre at the covers.
On the other end, Dawkins got past the fifty steadily to keep the scoreboard ticking despite a couple of wickets.
Falconer valiant century goes begging
When it looked like England were cruising in the run-chase during the 2nd and 3rd wicket partnerships, a sudden collapse put their backs to the back foot. They went from 142/2 to 177/7 in just 4 overs.
Deepesh Devendran got 2 wickets in an over, while captain Mhatre dismissed Dawkins for 66 off 56 with 7 fours and two sixes. The number 5 batter, Caleb Falconer, who came in at 142/3, held his own and went hammer and tongs in the middle overs and was supported by Minto on the other end.
The duo stitched a 92-run stand to keep the match alive, before Minto was dismissed for 28 off 41. England soon got bundled over for 311, and India lifted their sixth ICC U19 World Cup title. Falconer was the last wicket of the day as he fell for 115(67) with 8 fours and 7 sixes to his name.
