Jacob Bethell’s blistering batting display helped England advance to the semi-finals of the ICC U-19 World Cup with a six-wicket win over South Africa. Bethell was one of the bowlers to restrict South Africa to 209 all out before hitting 88 to see England be the first team to make the last-four stage.

South Africa endured a slow start after choosing to bat — their first boundary came off the final ball of the fourth over. Joshua Boyden dismissed both the openers — Valentine Kitime and Ethan-John Cunningham — to reduce South Africa to 21/2.

Dewald Brevis and Gerhardus Maree combined to steady the South African ship, adding 55 runs to the total. Brevis brought up his fourth fifty-plus score in a row, eventually falling just short of a century on 97. His dismissal brought about a batting collapse for South Africa as three wickets fell for one run.

The final-wicket partnership of Matthew Boast and Asakhe Tsaka frustrated England adding 40 runs as South Africa ended on 209 all out. England spinner Rehan Ahmed claimed 4/48.

Bethell then came out all guns blazing in England’s chase, hitting the fourth fastest half-century of U-19 World Cup history, reaching fifty off just 20 balls, as the Young Lions went at over 10 an over.

By the time South Africa finally managed to dismiss Bethell, the young Englishman had blasted 88 from 42 deliveries. William Luxton came in at five to strike 47 from 41 balls and get England into the semi-finals with a six.

In the Plate quarter final matches, Matthew Welch’s 78 helped Zimbabwe beat Scotland by 108 runs, while hosts the West Indies were too good for Papua New Guinea in a 169-run win.

Brief scores:

Quarter final: South Africa 209 in 43.4 ovs (Dewald Brevis 97, Rehan Ahmed 4/48). England 212/4 in 31.2 ovs (Jacob Bethell 88, William Luxton 47 n.o.). England won by 6 wickets.