ENGLAND advanced to the semifinals with a victory over South Africa in the 2022 International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies, on Wednesday.

South Africa endured a slow start having won the toss and choosing to bat, their first boundary came off the final ball of the fourth over, before Joshua Boyden dismissed Valentine Kitime off the next delivery.

Boyden would claim his 12th wicket of the tournament to send the other opener Ethan-John Cunningham back to the hutch and reduce South Africa to 21/2.

Dewald Brevis and Gerhardus Maree combined to steady the South African ship, adding 55 runs to the total before Jacob Bethell dismissed Maree as he played and missed.

Brevis remained a familiar stronghold for South Africa as he brought up his fourth 50-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 as the batters went in search of boundaries, but only found the grateful hands of fielders with Rehan Ahmed claiming figures of 4/48.

The final-wicket partnership of Matthew Boast and Asakhe Tsaka frustrated England adding 40 as South Africa ended on 209 all out.

Bethell came out all guns blazing in England's chase, hitting the fourth fastest half-century in the history of the Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, reaching 50 off just 20 balls, as the Young Lions went at over ten an over.

George Thomas was a delighted onlooker at the non-striker's end only moving into double figures in the tenth over, before smacking a six to bring up England's hundred.

South Africa finally struck as Bethell went for one heave too many but not before he had put on 88 from 42 deliveries to place England as overwhelming favourites.

That tag was backed up by good partnerships in the top order, before William Luxton came in at five to strike 47 not out from 41 balls and get England into the semifinals with a six.

Zimbabwe too good for Scotland in plate quarters

After seeing his opening partner Emmanuel Bawa fall for three runs, Matthew Welch added 32 runs for the second wicket alongside Panashe Taruvinga, with Taruvinga contributing just three runs before being dismissed by Jack Jarvis.

Welch then advanced past 50, as did Brian Bennett whose 54 off 58 balls helped Zimbabwe reach 155 in the 31st over.

Bennett was then forced to go, bowled leg before wicket by Lyle Robertson as he was replaced in the middle by another Bennett, David, who worked with Welch to move Zimbabwe closer to 200 before Welch fell for 78.

Jarvis then swung the game back in Scotland's favour taking two wickets in two balls to reduce Zimbabwe to 221 for seven and remove the dangerous Rogan Wolhuter.

His hat-trick ball came in his next over and while he could not get the scalp of Tendekai Mataranyika he soon bowled Connor Mitchell to leave Zimbabwe reeling.

Alex Falao was the final wicket to fall as Zimbabwe ended on 248 all out, meaning Scotland would have to post their highest score of the tournament t