Thomas Rew's Record-Breaking Century Leads England U19s to Thrilling Victory Over India

In a thrilling encounter at Northampton, Thomas Rew etched his name in the record books by scoring the fastest century for England Under-19s in a one-day international. The 17-year-old Somerset prodigy blazed his way to a stunning 131 off 89 balls, steering England to a tense one-wicket victory over India Under-19s in the second youth one-day international.

Rew's innings was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled batting. Coming in at a precarious 47-3, he dismantled the Indian bowling attack with a mix of powerful pulls, inventive reverse sweeps, and elegant drives. His century came off just 73 balls, surpassing Ben Foakes' previous record of 79 balls set in 2012. Rew's partnership of 123 runs with Rocky Flintoff, son of England legend Andrew Flintoff, laid the foundation for England's successful chase of 291.

Despite a late collapse that saw England lose five wickets for 49 runs, the final pair of Seb Morgan and Alex French held their nerve to secure the win with three balls to spare. Morgan's composed 20 not out, including the winning boundary, capped off a memorable match.

Rew's performance was particularly special as it outshone his older brother James Rew, who has already made a name for himself in first-class cricket. James, who has scored 10 first-class centuries by the age of 21, never achieved a century at the Under-19 level, making Thomas's feat even more remarkable.

Key Highlights:

Fastest Century: Rew's 73-ball century is now the fastest for England U19s.
Partnership: A crucial 123-run stand with Rocky Flintoff.
Victory: England won by one wicket with three balls remaining.

Rew's explosive innings not only leveled the series but also showcased his immense potential as a future star of English cricket. The series continues on Wednesday, with both teams eager to gain the upper hand.

England U19s Fastest Youth ODI Hundreds: