Aussie Star Shines with Record World Cup Century Chase

Morgan Winslow

Published: January 28, 2026 11:07 AM ET

In an electrifying display, Australian captain Ollie Peake led his team to a narrow 22-run victory over the West Indies in a Super Six match on January 28, 2026. This match, held at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, solidified Australia’s position as they headed into the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.

Aussie Star Shines with Record World Cup Century Chase

After losing the toss, Australia batted first, with opener Will Malajczuk setting the pace. He scored 38 runs from 30 balls, including 10 boundaries, before being dismissed by seamer R’Jai Gittens. Gittens had a tough start but managed to scalp two wickets in quick succession, leaving Australia at 2/84 after 11 overs.

Key Contributions and Innings Highlights

Ollie Peake: The 19-year-old captain top-scored with a composed century, becoming a pivotal player in Australia’s innings.
Nitesh Samuel: Contributed 56 runs off 74 balls, marking his third fifty of the tournament.
Alex Lee-Young: Made a steady 45 runs off 47 balls, showcasing aggressive batting against spinners.
Jayden Draper: Added a valuable 29 runs from just 23 deliveries.

Australia ended their innings with a formidable total of 314. Peake’s knock included nine fours and a six, particularly impressive was his running between the wickets during crucial partnerships. He finished his innings by attempting an ambitious second run and was run out on the last ball.

West Indies’ Response

The West Indies’ chase began with explosive contributions, led by opener Zachary Carter, who scored a brisk 50 off just 29 balls. However, Australia’s bowlers, led by Charlie Lachmund and leg-spinner Naden Cooray, regained control after early setbacks.

Charlie Lachmund: Took 4 wickets for 66 runs, crucial in breaking partnerships.
Naden Cooray: Shone with figures of 1/38 in a disciplined spell.

Despite a late surge from Jonathan van Lange, who scored 26 runs, wickets fell steadily as Lachmund and Aryan Sharma wrapped up the innings. Australia successfully defended their total, ensuring their advancement to the semi-finals.

Looking Ahead

Australia will face the second-ranked team from Group 2 in their next match in Bulawayo on Tuesday. The team has displayed a combination of strong batting and strategic bowling, making them a formidable opponent in the tournament.

As noted in history, only one team has previously chased a 50-over score over 300 in the Under-19 World Cup, an achievement that adds to the significance of Australia’s performance against the West Indies.