Bernard five-for helps England U-19 finish on high note

Medium-pacer Hugh Bernard took 5 for 14 in 8.1 overs to bowl England Under-19 to an 82-run victory against Australia Under-19 in the last match of the series in Perth. The home side had already won the series and it ended 3-2.

England struggled after they were put in, losing their top three batsmen for scores of 1, 2 and 1. From 8 for 3, they were lifted by wicketkeeper Ryan Davies who made 81 and had a 69-run stand with his captain Aneurin Donald. After Davies was dismissed, Aaron Thomason made 63 at No.7 and, with Brad Taylor's 34, helped England post 232 for 8 in 50 overs. Henry Thornton took 4 for 46 for Australia.

Australia's openers made a steady beginning, reaching 20 in 3.5 overs, before Bernard hit the chase hard. He dismissed batsmen Nos. 2, 3 and 4 in quick succession to reduce them to 29 for 3 in eight overs. Australia progressed to 60 for 3 before losing two wickets for no runs, and then suffered the same fate when the score was 71 in the 21st over. That was the end of their challenge. Bernard returned to polish off the last two wickets and dismiss Australia for 150 in 40.1 overs. Wicketkeeper Tom Healy, Ian Healy's son, was the home team's top scorer with an unbeaten 58.