England’s Ben Mayes found himself two runs short of scripting history at the Under-19 World Cup 2026. Mayes scored 191 but missed out on breaking the record for highest score by a batter in the history of the tournament. The Englishman was dismissed in the 46th over by Scotland's Max Chaplin at Takashinga Sports Club, Harare.
Mayes' 191 is the joint second-highest score by a batter in the tournament's history. He shares the second spot with Sri Lanka's Hasitha Boyagoda who scored 191 runs from 152 balls against Kenya in the 2018 edition. Boyagoda's record was broken last week by Sri Lanka's Viran Chamuditha who scored 192 runs from 143 deliveries against Japan in Windhoek.
Mayes reached his century from 65 balls, the fastest by an England batter in youth ODIs. His knock of 191 from 117 balls was studded with 18 fours and eight sixes. His strike rate of 163.24 is the highest among batters with 150 runs or more in an innings in Under-19 World Cup history.
Mayers’ 191 propels England to big score
Earlier, Scotland skipper Thomas Knight won the toss and opted to bowl first. Mayes walked out to bat in the third over of the innings as Finlay Jones dismissed Ben Dawkins for a single-digit score.
In the seventh over, Mayes hit Ethan Ramsay for three fours and a six. In the 13th over, he reached his half-century from 32 balls. 10 overs later, he brought up his century. In the 25th over, opener Joseph Moores departed for a 65-ball 81. They shared an 188-run partnership for the second wicket.
Skipper Rew got a start but could not convert it into a big score. He fell to Jake Woodhouse for a 35-ball 22. In the 40th over, Mayes reached his 150 from 98 deliveries. When he lost his wicket, England’s score was 354/5.
In the slog overs, cameos from Sebastian Morgan (11-ball 24) and Farhan Ahmed (13-ball 15) helped England post 404/6.
Mayes regains form
After a string of low scores, Mayes has found form in the ongoing tournament. In the previous game, Mayes scored an unbeaten 72-ball 77 in the successful run chase against Zimbabwe.