Hugh Bernard takes 7 wickets as England U19s draw Australia series
Sunday 23rd August 2015
Kent teen seamer Hugh Bernard took three wickets as England Under 19s won the final Royal London One-Day International at Worcester, to level the five-match series 2-2.
The 18-year-old from Folkestone, who signed his first professional contract this summer, took 3-52 in eight overs.
England restricted the tourists to 294 for six from 50 overs which they overtook with two balls to spare.
Bernard finished the series with seven wickets from four completed matches after taking 3-47 in the televised third ODI and 1-33 in the fourth.
Speaking on his return, the Kent Cricket Academy graduate said: "It was a brilliant feeling to be in front of the cameras. Some people say they feel extra pressure but you've just got to forget they are there.
"Going at around four an over was the standard I expect from myself. Opening the bowling means you want to get the team off to a good start.
"The way the one-day game's changing means that 6 an over is a target for teams now. The wicket had a bit in it for the bowlers so to get three wickets was pleasing.
"Drawing the series was a fair result, we're happy with that as both teams played some good cricket in the series."
Bernard featured in all four completed ODIs but not in the four-day squad although the right-armer believes he is as adept with the red-ball.
"It's an honour to play for your country and not one that I take lightly so I am delighted to get the opportunity in whichever format.
"I personally prefer red-ball cricket but enjoy all three formats of the game as the basics are still the same: there's a bloke at the other end and you've got get him out and stop him scoring."
He enjoyed sharing a dressing room with Kent colleague Ryan Davies, who is deputising at Derby for Sam Billings.
"It's great to Ryan Davies there as we've played a lot of cricket together and know each other really well.
"We've built a lot of good relationships with the other lads from our tour to Australia in the winter."
The England Under-19 squad has a busy winter schedule ahead with a tour of Sri Lanka and a training camp in Dubai prior to the 2016 Under 19 World Cup early next year and Bernard hopes his performances have earned him a place on the plane.