England’s Future Shines Bright With Mayes And Lumsden At The Heart Of It

England may have fallen just short of lifting the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup trophy, but the tournament confirmed one undeniable truth - the future of English cricket looks exceptionally bright, with Hampshire’s Ben Mayes and Manny Lumsden firmly at the centre of it.

Mayes and Lumsden performed consistently throughout the competition, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker, respectively. The duo’s outstanding performances were rightfully recognised, as both were named in the ICC Under-19 World Cup Team of the Tournament.

Ben Mayes finished the competition as the leading run-scorer, amassing 444 runs at an average of 74 and a strike rate of 112.41, while Manny Lumsden topped the bowling charts with 16 wickets in seven matches at an average of 16.06.

Runners-up England were represented by three players in the tournament's XI, with captain and wicketkeeper Thomas Rew also earning selection after a highly impressive campaign. Rew amassed 330 runs at an average of 66, including a match-winning century in the semi-final against Australia.

This was truly a dream World Cup campaign for England, and they looked unbeatable until the final, with each player contributing at different stages.

England’s journey truly ignited in their second group match against Zimbabwe. Lumsden was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 38 to restrict the hosts to 208. In reply, Mayes and Rew stitched together a match-winning partnership of 167 off 128 balls, with Mayes contributing an imperious 77 from 72 balls.

Against Scotland, Mayes produced one of the greatest innings in Under-19 World Cup history, smashing a record-breaking 191 from 117 balls. The knock shattered Dan Lawrence’s long-standing England Under-19 record and even surpassed Ben Stokes’ senior England ODI best of 182. Mayes struck 18 fours and eight sixes, blending composure with controlled aggression. Once again, Lumsden played his role with the ball, using pace-off deliveries and hard lengths into the surface to pick up two wickets.

England followed that up with a clinical performance against Bangladesh, where Mayes again looked fluent for his 34 from 50 balls, while Lumsden impressed with 2 wickets at an economy of just 2.9, highlighting his control and growing maturity.

The momentum continued against New Zealand, as England brought an end to the Black Caps’ winless campaign. Mayes struck a fluent 50, including five crisp boundaries and a trademark on-drive to reach his fifty.

Lumsden was the pick of the bowlers again, getting a sensational five-for, striking twice in his opening over and returning in his seventh to take three more and wrap up the innings.

The semi-final against Australia proved to be another defining moment. While Mayes was unable to make a major contribution with the bat, Lumsden bowled a largely effective spell, getting two key wickets in his first eight overs. A late onslaught from the Aussie skipper Oliver Peake in Lumsden’s 9th over brought Australia back into contention, but England held their nerve to secure the win, but nonetheless a valuable learning experience for the young seamer.

In the final, England faced an equally good Indian side. After bowling first, India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played a once in a lifetime knock 175 from 80 balls. Lumsden did manage to dismiss him, but the damage had largely been done. In the chase, Mayes once again looked in sublime touch, with a quickfire 45 from 28 balls including seven fours and two sixes. He was threatening to take the game till the end before holing out in the deep attempting a reverse slog. As a result, India won the game by 100 runs.

Hampshire’s young guns may not have lifted the trophy, but they have won admiration across the cricketing world and made their country and club immensely proud. With former players, pundits and coaches echoing the same sentiment, the message is clear:

England’s future is in safe hands and Hampshire talent is leading the way.

And this, by every measure, feels like only the beginning.

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