Jack Burnham was determined not to miss out on a “flat deck” in Chittagong as his unbeaten century fired England into the Under-19 World Cup quarter-finals.
Brad Taylor’s side produced another high-quality performance to beat Zimbabwe by 129 runs and confirm their place in the last eight, where they will face Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
In-form Burnham was at the heart of the third consecutive win with his second ton as England posted 288 for four.
The Durham batsman blasted five fours and six maximums in an unbeaten 106 off 104 balls, helping England add 108 in the final 10 overs, which propelled him to the top of the tournament’s run charts.
And he was delighted to cash in on a surface that offered a little assistance to the spinners.
“It was a lovely day, I loved every minute of it. I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he told former England international Paul Allott at the post-match presentation.
“There was a little bit of turn but it suits me better when there is turn. It was a flat deck so you have got to make the most of every opportunity. Today I did that.
“I just thought if I take it deep I have the power to clear the ropes. Looking back, it was a well-timed innings. I love a six!”
England’s victory was built on yet another superb display with the bat.
Openers Dan Lawrence and Max Holden set a solid platform with half-centuries in a 91-run stand and, alongside Burnham, Aneurin Donald and Sam Curran provided late impetus.
Donald, recalled to the side in place of George Bartlett, chipped in with 25 off 17 deliveries while Curran smashed a 16-ball 32.
Skipper Brad Taylor said: “Very happy, especially with the way we have gone about it. We haven’t just snuck by teams, we have really looked to get that big win under our belts.
“The big thing is the batters are getting in and scoring big runs. The fact that everyone is chipping in as well. We had someone else with a fifty today in Max and Burny with a hundred. It is brilliant.
“I think we can improve even more. I don’t’ think the spinners bowled as well as they have in the previous games, so that could be an area of improvement.
“But I think the batting has been pretty faultless so it has been pretty good.”
Although Callum Taylor missed out with the bat, making just six, he more than made up with it with the ball.
Not required in the win over West Indies on Friday, the right-arm seamer took 3-14 from four overs and was at one stage on a hat-trick.
He missed the chance to emulate Luke Wright’s treble against South Africa in 2003, as he delivered a leg-side wide, but Brad Taylor was impressed with his contribution.
“Callum can be really effective at times,” he said. I didn’t bowl him the other day, but I thought I would give him a little go today and it came off brilliantly. He bowled great areas.”
On their next opponents, Brad Taylor added: “In the past we have beaten Pakistan but haven’t beaten Sri Lanka, so I would say Pakistan is our preference.”
Source: ECB