Australia skittle England for 99 but lose thrilling U19 Women’s World Cup semi-final by THREE runs

England cruised to a sensational victory at the U-19 Women’s World Cup as they defended a total of just 99 to beat Australia by three runs and set up a final against India on Sunday.

Hannah Barker finished with three wickets for just 10 runs in an incredible afternoon at Potchefstroom, in which the England tail accounted for more than half of her runs.

Chasing 100 to win, Australia lost openers Kate Pelle and Sianna Ginger by just four runs in the first two overs, before Ella Hayward and Claire Moore looked to rebuild the innings.

England pulled off a remarkable three-run victory to beat Australia in the U-19 Women’s World Cup

The duo formed a useful 30-run partnership that was broken when Hayward was bowled out by player of the match Hannah Barker in the seventh, before Moore fell to Grace Scrivens mid-inning to leave Australia 4–48.

They lost a further three wickets by just 11 runs as Baker claimed captain Rhys McKenna and Paris Hall, while Lucy Hamilton fell to Ryana MacDonald-Gay.

Amy Smith, Australia’s last recognized batsman, and Ella Wilson led the Aussies to 77, before MacDonald-Gay caught first off the bowling of Josie Groves.

Wilson and Milly Illingworth dug in to take Australia to within three runs of all, but their partnership broke when the latter was run out by a superb MacDonald-Gay direct hit.

Grace Scrivens (centre) took the final wicket as England pulled off a sensational victory

Ella Hayward (left) and Claire Moore rebuild Australia’s innings after a rocky start

Ella Wilson (left) was not stranded as Maggie Clark (right) was the last wicket to fall

England captain Sciver then caught the final wicket, catching Maggie Clark LBW to spark wild celebrations.

Speaking after the game, Baker insisted that England never doubted that they could return to the game once they started taking wickets regularly.

“Everyone’s adrenaline was skyrocketing. We just wanted to keep getting land and go as far as possible,’ she said.

‘Our bowling attack was good, the fielding was brilliant. There are always doubts but we were confident. I just wanted to break the ball and take wickets.’

England captain Grace Scrivens praised her team’s “great bowling” but admitted she was struggling to articulate her feelings after such an incredible finish.

Unsurprisingly, McKenna took a much darker tone as he reflected on a depressing implosion.

“Nobody likes to lose, especially in the semifinal,” he said.

Australia looked in complete control after cutting England to 7-45 in their innings

Alexa Stonehouse scored a crucial 40-race partnership with Josie Groves

‘Losing land in bulk in a short period of time is what it cost us. Our bowling has been exceptional, [but the] the hitting hasn’t been good enough at times.’

Australia looked set to reach the final after cutting England to 7-45 in 10 overs.

Scrivens and Seren Smale were the only two of England’s top six players to reach double figures, but when Moore caught the former on Ginger’s toss, the writing seemed to be on the wall.

But while their top order struggled, England’s tail moved decisively as Alexa Stonehouse and Groves combined for a crucial 40-run partnership that ultimately proved the match-winner.