England knock out Aussies in Under-19 semi-final thriller

England have staged a remarkable comeback to knock Australia out of the inaugural Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, taking out a low-scoring semi-final thriller by three runs.

After being reduced to 7-45, a fighting 46-run partnership between Alexa Stonehouse and Josie Groves helped England to 99 all out from 19.5 overs.

Australia were in significant trouble in reply at 8-77, thanks largely to Hannah Barker’s 3-10, before the tail rallied to leave them needing just four runs to win from 16 deliveries.

But a run out courtesy of a direct hit left Australia 9-96, and England captain Grace Scrivens was the hero when she trapped Maggie Clarke lbw to secure the final wicket and seal a spot in Sunday's final against India.

England had captured two early wickets to leave the Australians 2-4 and continued to turn the screw despite fighting knocks from Claire Moore (20) and Amy Smith (26).

Image Id: 2404CDC66C684536BF5A7FA80A1064D3 Image Caption: England celebrate the early dismissal of Kate Pelle // Getty

Kate Pelle, Australia’s form batter of the tournament, started brightly with a lofted boundary down the ground but was out two balls later, and the Aussies didn’t add to their tally before Sianna Ginger (0) spooned a return catch to Stonehouse, leaving them 2-4.

Ella Haywood looked to settle alongside Moore but was bowled by Baker for 16, before Scrivens took the key wicket of Moore, who was bowled first ball after the drinks break to leave Australia 4-48.

The wickets continued to tumble as England asserted their dominance, before a rearguard effort from Ella Wilson (8no) and Milly Illingworth (8) put Australia within four runs of victory.

The pressure saw Australia risk a tight single which had Illingworth run out, before Scrivens struck Clark plumb lbw to secure England’s place in the decider.

Earlier, Illingworth (1-25) picked up the key wicket of the hard-hitting Liberty Heap for one, before Clark (3-15) chimed in to have Niamh Holland (1) caught behind.

Image Id: 40408926E14F464EBBFC9FE0B3E257F8 Image Caption: Australia were on top early with ball in hand // Getty

Hayward (3-25) had a slice of luck when Seren Smale was given out lbw for 10, with replays suggesting the ball hit glove first, but there was no questioning it when she struck again in the same over, bowling Ryana Macdonald-Gay for a duck.

Ginger (3-13) entered the attack and removed Charis Pavley (4) before securing the crucial scalp of in-form England captain Scrivens, caught in the deep for 20.

Hayward’s third, trapping Sophia Smales lbw, had England struggling at 7-45 after 10 overs.

Image Id: D9A134114BC0496DA3C764058FD4559A Image Caption: Ella Hayward picked up three wickets // Getty

But the 46-run stand from Stonehouse and Groves put the pressure back on the Australian bowlers and added all-important runs, before the return of Clark in the 18th over finally broke their stand, bowling Groves for 15 off 20.

Stonehouse (25 off 33) holed out to Ginger in the 19th, before Clark ended the English innings on the penultimate ball of the innings.

India earlier secured their place in Sunday’s final when they cruised to an eight-wicket win over New Zealand.

ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023

Australia squad: Rhys McKenna (c),Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Paris Hall, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Eleanor Larosa, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Ananaya Sharma, Amy Smith, Ella Wilson. 

Australia’s schedule  

View the full schedule and standings here

January 14: Bangladesh beat Australia by seven wickets

January 16: Australia beat USA by nine wickets

January 18: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 108 runs

Super Six stage

January 21: Australia beat India by seven wickets 

January 23:Australia beat UAE by six wickets 

Final: January 29, India v England, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 1.45pm local (10.45pm AEDT)