BEN Charlesworth scored a classy 82 for England against Australia at the Under 19 Cricket World Cup.

The former Oxfordshire opener hit 11 fours in the 100-ball knock as his country batted first in Kimberley, South Africa, this morning.

Charlesworth, 19, earlier put on 67 for the first wicket with Jordan Cox, but was caught at fine leg while trying to dispatch a short ball.

It left his side on 146-5 with around 15 overs remaining in the first innings of the Group B clash.

The ex-St Edward’s School pupil produced another assured display in England's tournament opener against West Indies on Monday, scoring 36 off 54 balls in a 71-run defeat by DLS method.

Charlesworth, who now plays for Gloucestershire, put on 53 for the opening wicket with Cox before his teammate fell.

The 19-year-old was caught by Joshua James at long on after taking on the spin of Matthew Patrick.

England’s final group game is against Nigeria on Saturday.

The top two teams progress to the Super League quarter-finals, while the bottom two go through to the last eight of the Plate.