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According to Football Espana, Sevilla have entered the race for AC Milan striker Andre Silva, who has been heavily linked with Wolves during this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

Silva is a client of super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has been helping Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo in the transfer market since last summer.

The 22-year-old only joined Milan in the summer of last year in a £33.6m deal from Porto. However, after scoring just 10 goals last season and following the arrival of Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, the young Portuguese forward man could be on the move again.

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At a young age, Silva does boast a hugely impressive scoring record for his national side, with 12 goals in 26 appearances, although he failed to find the back of the net at this summer’s World Cup.

Adding firepower

Despite his slight struggles in Italy last season though, Wolves should not let Sevilla beat them to Silva’s signature. Although Santo’s side have re-signed former loanee Leo Bonatini and completed a temporary deal for Benfica front man Raul Jimenez, the quality that Silva would bring could potentially fire them into contention for a Europa League spot if you look at the talent in that squad.

With service from midfielders and compatriots Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, Silva could no doubt hit enough goals to make a potential loan or even permanent deal a success.

Valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt, he could prove to be the pick of the signings made so far by Santo.

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted that Aston Villa will gain their second Championship win on the bounce when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Steve Bruce’s side had a tough start to the season, and their promotion chances hit a snag when they failed to find a win in their first three matches.

After back-to-back defeats, the Midlands outfit responded with a 4-2 victory over Norwich City, which included a hat-trick from Conor Hourihane.

Since then, the Villans have been unbeaten in the league, but they have only managed to win once after drawing three in a row.

Bruce and his men were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in midweek when they suffered a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough, and Saturday’s opponents Forest had similar disappointment when they were beaten 5-1 by Chelsea.

The Reds have picked up 12 points from a possible 24, and their most recent Championship result was a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While making his predictions for Sky Sports, Prutton backed Villa to claim a 2-1 victory this weekend.

“Aston Villa have got to win this for me. They’re undefeated in the league in five now, and while they’ve got a few too many draws in there it looks like things are coming together. Both sides suffered disappointing losses in midweek, but they made so many changes between them that it should make too much of a difference. Nottingham Forest are in 10th at the moment, and if they find themselves there at the end of the season them I’m sure Mark Warburton will be delighted.”

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is closing in on a long-awaited comeback.

The club’s head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke has told West Ham’s official website that Sakho is targeting a return to the pitch in April.

It has been a frustrating season for the 27-year-old, who has been restricted to just two Premier League appearances.

Sakho’s last outing for the Hammers was in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on November 27.

The Senegal international made an impressive start to life at West Ham when he signed from Metz in 2014, scoring 10 goals in 23 top-flight appearances.

Last season he was unable to recreate his form as just five goals were produced from the striker, who played 21 times in the league.

Due to his injury woes in the current campaign, Sakho has only found the back of the net once, but he will have an opportunity to provide a late flourish if all goes to plan in terms of his recovery.

Vandenbroucke revealed:

“Diafra has returned from a visit to the specialist in France, where they were happy with the progression of his rehab after his surgery and he will now step up his work with the rehab fitness coach, with a view to being reintroduced to full training in April.”

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If you ask any Manchester United fan how they think their season has gone this year, you’d find it difficult to locate many who have positive things to say.

A fifth place finish in the Premier League means Louis van Gaal’s side have missed out on a place in the Champions League, but with the FA Cup final fast approaching, there is still a chance for the Red Devils to bring home some silverware.

Whether this is enough to please the supporters of one of the biggest clubs in the world is yet to be seen, but here at FootballFanCast, we believe there are actually some positives for the Man United faithful to take away from this season.

So here’s our FIVE reasons why Manchester United’s season has actually been a success…

The emergence of youth

A pretty easy one, this. One massive, massive positive United fans should be taking away from this season is the emergence of some pretty special youngsters.

They’ve all been thrown in at the deep end and have managed well, with young striker Marcus Rashford taking plenty of the plaudits. But special mentions should go to Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Timothy Fosu-Mensah too – they’ve been excellent when called upon.

Anthony Martial debut campaign

Again, it’s easy to see why Martial makes it into our list. The 20-year-old has been awesome at times this campaign, especially coming to the end of the season. 17 goals in 48 appearances is impressive, and when you bear in mind this is his first Premier League campaign, that feat is all the more impressive.

Jose still being linked with Old Trafford

He’s the man on the lips of most fans at Old Trafford, whether you love him or hate him. The media interest linking Jose with a return to England just won’t go away and supporters are seemingly rallying in order to bring him to the club. The Van Gaal appointment hasn’t worked out that well at all, and he’s becoming increasingly unpopular at the helm. Don’t give up United fans, Jose is still a free man.

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Ryan Giggs in the assistant manager’s position

This is one man whom many United fans rarely disagree about. Whether Giggs is offered the job or not, him being at Old Trafford is only a good thing. He’s been a part of the United fabric for over 25 years now and no-one knows the club better than him. If there is one man that can get the Red Devils ticking again, it’s Giggsy – even from off the pitch. Another season of coaching at the top level has only served to give him more experience.

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David De Gea has shone

How good has De Gea been again this season? Absolutely fantastic, is the answer! But, how many more seasons will United be able to hang onto their prized shot-stopper? I’m not sure.

He’s by far one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the league and this season has been no exception. Gone are the worries that hung over his head in his first campaign at Old Trafford and De Gea has emerged as a real leader. Without him, it would have been even worse.

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The ex-Bayern Munich centre-back looked lost as the Blancos' 100 percent start to the season was ended

Real Madrid turned in a miserable defensive showing, and lacked cutting edge going forward in a poor 3-1 loss against Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Los Blancos were susceptible on the counter-attack, with usual stalwart David Alaba culpable for three near-identical headers against their cross-city rivals to drop their first La Liga points of the season.

Alvaro Morata bagged the opener inside four minutes, nodding Samuel Lino's angled ball past a frozen Kepa Arrizabalaga. The home side made it two shortly after, Saul linking up with Antoine Griezmann, who glanced a header into the bottom corner. The France star could have added a third, too, but saw his effort well denied by Kepa.

Toni Kroos provided the Real response, pivoting from his left to right foot, before smashing past Jan Oblak from the edge of the box. But Madrid's defending let them down again, as Atletico only needed two minutes of the second half to double their lead, Morata completing his brace with another free header.

Carlo Ancelotti changed things shortly after, introducing fresh legs, and reverting to his preferred 4-4-2 formation to get back into the game. And the visitors created more as a result, as Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodrygo fired narrowly wide, while Joselu created problems in the box.

Still, the crucial goal never came, and Atleti looked admittedly comfortable seeing off their bitter rivals.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Metropolitano…

• Goalkeeper & Defence

  Kepa Arrizabalaga (5/10):

  Couldn't do anything about the goals. Was let down by his centre-backs.

  Lucas Vazquez (4/10):

  Two of Atleti's goals came down his side. Overwhelmed by the pace and trickery of Lino. Looked a lot like the converted winger he is.

  Antonio Rudiger (4/10):

  Completely absent during all three goals. Put one wide from distance.

  David Alaba (3/10):

  Lost track of Morata on the Atletico opener. Did so again on the second with Griezmann and third with Morata again. Hard to recall such a poor performance from him.

  Fran Garcia (4/10):

  Caught ball-watching on a number of occassions. His attacking quality is undeniable, but his defensive issues are a real problem.

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  Midfield

  Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):

  Had a goal correctly ruled out for offside. Lost defensively in crucial moments. Yet to find his best this year.

  Toni Kroos (5/10):

  Lackadaisical defensively on two of Atleti's goals. Didn't have the requisite legs to help out on the counter. His excellent goal will be largely forgotten.

  Federico Valverde (6/10):

  Should have closed Lino down in the build-up to Atletico's opener. Looked much better in the second half.

  Luka Modric (5/10):

  Handed a start for the second straight game. Rusty and lacking in quality before being removed at the break.

  Jude Bellingham (5/10):

  Stuck in an awkward left-wing position in the first half, where he didn't look very comfortable. Given more freedom in the second, but never truly impacted the game. He can't be the saviour every time, it seems.

• Attack

  Rodrygo (5/10):

  Operated as a roaming loan striker in the first half, but lacked support at times. Much improved in the second when able to play off Joselu.

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  Subs & Manager

  Joselu (6/10):

  Introduced at half-time, and the team certainly improved with his presence.

  Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

  Raised the tempo at the base of midfield. Put a shot narrowly wide. Needs to start.

  Nacho (5/10):

  Defensive cover for Vazquez.

  Ferland Mendy (5/10):

  Returned from a lengthy injury absence to offer relief for Garcia. Booked almost immediately.

  Brahim Diaz (6/10):

  Added an injection of quality. Probably needed to be brought on earlier.

  Carlo Ancelotti (4/10):

  Got his tactics wrong from the first minute. Madrid needed a central striker, but the manager instead opted for five midfielders and Rodrygo. His side were awful for 35 minutes, better for 10, and defensively poor throughout. Ultimately thwarted by a Simeone masterclass.

There have been stand out performers during the opening fortnight of Qatar 2022 – but who makes GOAL's group stage XI?

The World Cup group stages are over and what a wild ride it has been.

Qatar 2022 has been the tournament of shocks, with the likes of Morocco and Japan stealing the show and former powerhouses such as Germany and Belgium being sent packing.

But what players have been the stand out performers during the opening fortnight? We asked some of GOAL’s writers to come up with the World Cup group stage XI.

Using a 4-2-3-1 formation, this is what they have gone for…

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  GK: Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)

  There can’t really be anyone else, can there? Without Szczesny, Poland would certainly be on the plane home, rather than looking forward to a knockout game against France. The Juventus goalkeeper has been in sensational form so far and has saved two penalties, including one to deny Lionel Messi against Argentina. Poland may have still lost that game 2-0, but conceding one more goal during that dramatic final group stage game would have seen Mexico finish above them in the table. It was only Szczesny's heroics that saw the Polish avoid a far heavier defeat.

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  RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

  Morocco have been one of the stories of the World Cup and the form of Hakimi has been crucial to their impressive results. The Paris Saint-Germain star started all three of his nation’s group stage games, helping them to two clean sheets as they topped Group F, finishing above Croatia and Belgium in the process. He also produced one of the assists of the tournament as he sent Youssef En-Nesyri away to score what proved to be the winner against Canada. Hakimi has been one of Europe’s stand out right-backs for some time and now he is replicating that club form on the biggest stage of all.

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  CB: Harry Souttar (Australia)

  Of all the surprises of the group stage, Australia are surely the biggest. The Socceroos arrived with plenty of enthusiasm but little expectation, but Graham Arnold’s side delivered a masterclass in determination, teamwork and concentration, ensuring European Championship semi-finalists Denmark were sent home early. The star of their team has been Souttar, whose ultra-competitive performances at centre-back are made all the more remarkable by the fact that he had had only played one competitive game in 12 months leading up the tournament, having been sidelined with a knee injury. The Stoke City man’s style is unfussy, but was crucial as Australia kept clean sheets against both Tunisia and Denmark. Whatever happens from here on, the 24-year-old can be proud of his efforts in Qatar.

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  CB: Harry Maguire (England)

  Maguire deserves huge credit for the way he has performed so far in Qatar. He came into the tournament under intense scrutiny having lost his place in the Manchester United team following a series of major blunders. But he received the backing of England boss Gareth Southgate, who refused to listen to the calls for Maguire to be dropped, and has repaid his manager with a series of excellent performances. Maguire has helped England to two clean sheets and he was immense in the draw with the United States, while the majority of his team-mates struggled. He has also been a big threat from set pieces in the opposition’s penalty area and has been unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet at least once.

After a global vote involving 44 editions, Goal proudly presents its list of the best 25 male and best 25 female footballers on the planet for 2019-20

Learn how to claim free football bets to use when betting on football onlineGoal25. Paulo Dybala @man

In the summer of 2019, Paulo Dybala was so close to leaving Juventus that he had already recorded a goodbye video for the Bianconeri supporters that love him so dearly.

Now, he is set to sign a new contract with the Italian champions, having reminded everyone in Turin of his importance to the Old Lady with a string of sensational performances that helped secure the club's ninth consecutive Scudetto.

Indeed, Dybala, who hit 17 goals in all competitions, was named Serie A's Player of the Season, while Juve's Champions League elimination to Lyon was partly due to the injury which limited his involvement in the second leg.

AdvertisementGoal25. Cristiana Girelli @woman

After becoming well-known to the entire nation of Italy for her hat-trick at last summer’s World Cup, Cristiana Girelli kept up her reputation as a serial goalscorer in 2019-20.  

Scoring 16 goals in 16 Serie A games, the 30-year-old helped Juventus win yet another league title while finishing top of the goalscoring charts herself.

Girelli also scored the opening goal in Juve’s 2-0 win over Fiorentina in the Italian Super Cup and was in fine form for her country throughout the year, only failing to find the net in one of the seven games she played for Italy.

Goal24. Jadon Sancho @man

Borussia Dortmund and Portugal star Raphael Guerreiro says Jadon Sancho has the ability "to be just as good as Cristiano Ronaldo, maybe even better someday."

It is easy to understand why Sancho is held in such high esteem.

At just 20 years of age, the winger is already an England regular, having run riot in the Bundesliga since joining Dortmund from Manchester City in 2017.

Last season alone, Sancho scored 20 goals, and created a further 19, as he established himself as one of the most coveted young players in world football.

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Goal24. Asisat Oshoala @woman

When it comes to off the ball movement and the ability to be in the right place at the right time, Asisat Oshoala is impeccable.  

One of the most exciting things is that the 25-year-old can still improve her finishing and be even more prolific.

"She has pace and power which is tough to find in any player nationally," Barcelona head coach Lluis Cortes said after the club brought in the Nigeria international on a permanent basis.  

With 20 goals in 19 games, the signing proved even better in hindsight, helping Barca win their first title since 2015.

Caribbean Premier League chief executive Damien O’Donohoe has said filling up the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, with 10,000 fans on four consecutive match days in July, will be the primary factor in determining if the league returns to Florida.O’Donohoe said a World T20 victory for West Indies will hopefully have spurred greater interest in the first CPL matches being played in the USA, from July 28 to 31 in Lauderhill.”Looking at American sports and looking at foreign sports coming in, what has always been a success is when the best players in the world are there,” O’Donohoe told ESPNcricinfo. “You look at the All Blacks, rugby is relatively unknown and yet they filled Soldier Field. Cricket is largely unknown but coming in with the world champions gives us a real leg up and I think it’s going to really turn the heads first of the Caribbean people and people of cricket nations but also hopefully it’s going to turn the heads of some US baseball fans to come.”The CPL’s arrival in Florida will be the second high-profile expedition in the US market in the last year, following the Cricket All-Stars tour in November 2015. High ticket prices – ranging from $50 to $325 in Los Angeles – meant that only the first game at New York’s Citi Field had more than 50% of seats filled.Sales in Houston and Los Angeles hovered at around 10,000 – in stadiums with capacity of 41,500 and 56,000 respectively – until 48 hours before each game, when organisers slashed prices for their remaining inventory by 50% and also gave away thousands of free tickets to help build up crowds.O’Donohoe said he observed the strategy used in the All-Stars tour and hoped the CPL experience would be better for fans, with two-thirds of tickets priced at $30 or less. Tickets for the Florida games went on sale on Thursday, almost four months ahead of the July slate – compared to the five-week period before the All-Stars tour.”I think with the Cricket All-Stars, you looked at New York and that’s always a market that can take a very high ticket price but with the other two venues it didn’t exactly work,” O’Donohoe said. “We’ve always been of the opinion, with the CPL, that we want to make it accessible to everybody and we don’t want to price anyone out because CPL can be enjoyed by people of all ages. That’s why we’ve gone with a very low entry price ticket for the US so that all cricket fans can be there.”O’Donohoe is also planning for players, including the six USA and Canada players who received CPL contracts this year, to visit local schools for cricket clinics and is also targeting cross-promotional opportunities with other local sports teams – such as having Chris Gayle and Andre Russell participate in a batting practice session with the baseball team Miami Marlins.”As part of our sanctioning fee, which we had to pay the ICC to play the games, every penny of that is going into local initiatives to promote cricket locally in the Broward County area,” O’Donohoe said. “Also, we do school visits as part of CPL, which has been a really successful initiative.”I think no matter what you do, if the stadium is not full, then you haven’t really done your job. We’re really putting our neck out there in terms of bringing these games to the US. It’s a huge investment from our side. We’re the first professional league to go in and we’re doing everything we can to make people aware that these games are happening. I really hope that we get the people to turn out and support what’s going to be a historic couple of days.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A vantagem de oito pontos sobre o vice-líder Palmeiras mostra a dimensão da campanha feita pelo Flamengo neste Campeonato Brasileiro. Os 78,2% de aproveitamento após 26 rodadas é algo inédito e indica que o título, a 12 rodadas do fim, já é uma questão de tempo. O bom desempenho dentro das quatro linhas aliado aos resultados conquistados também colocam o time de Jorge Jesus como fortíssimo candidato a quebrar vários recordes. Veja abaixo.

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MAIOR PONTUAÇÃO DA SÉRIE A COM 20 CLUBES

Com 61 pontos, o Flamengo é o time que mais pontuou em 26 rodadas desde que o Campeonato Brasileiro passou a ser em pontos corridos. A fórmula de disputa foi adotada em 2003, com a Série A passando a ter 20 clubes em 2006.

Desde então, quem mais somou pontos ao fim de 38 rodadas foi o Corinthians, em 2015: 81. Faltando 12 rodadas para o fim desta edição do Brasileirão – ou seja, 36 pontos -, o time da Gávea tem a possibilidade de ultrapassar a marca.

MAIOR SEQUÊNCIA DE VITÓRIAS NA SÉRIE A COM 20 CLUBES

A equipe de Jorge Jesus já alcançou um recorde: venceu oito rodadas seguidas na Série A do Brasileirão com 20 clubes, marca até então alcançada só pelo Cruzeiro, em 2013. A Raposa acabou sendo campeã nacional naquela edição.

Em 2019, o Flamengo venceu de forma consecutiva Grêmio, Vasco, Ceará, Palmeiras, Avaí, Santos, Cruzeiro e Internacional, entre a 14ª e 21ª rodada.

MELHOR ATAQUE DA SÉRIE A COM 20 CLUBES

Com Gabigol, Bruno Henrique e Arrascaeta em grande fase, o Flamengo está na briga para ter o ataque mais eficiente de todas edições do Brasileirão desde que a Série A passou a ter 20 clubes, em 2006. A marca, por ora, é do Cruzeiro, que marcou 77 gols nas 38 rodadas disputadas no campeonato de 2013. Com 12 rodadas a serem disputadas, o Rubro-Negro já marcou 55 gols em 26 jogos.

MAIOR NÚMERO DE VITÓRIAS NA SÉRIE A COM 20 CLUBES

Caso mantenha o ritmo até o final da competição, o Flamengo certamente se tornará o time com mais vitórias em uma mesma edição do Campeonato Brasileiro com 20 clubes na Série A. O Rubro-Negro soma 19 vitórias com 26 rodadas disputadas, enquanto as melhores marcas pertencem a Cruzeiro, em 2014, Corinthians, em 2015, e Palmeiras, em 2016: 24 triunfos para cada time.

MELHOR CAMPANHA DO FLAMENGO NOS PONTOS CORRIDOS

O Flamengo caminha para sua melhor campanha na era dos pontos corridos, com 61 pontos em 26 jogos. Desde 2003, a edição em que o time mais somou pontos foi a de 2018, quando, sob o comando de Maurício Barbieri e Dorival Jr, somou 72 pontos e ficou com o vice-campeonato, atrás do Palmeiras, com 80.

O Flamengo foi campeão uma vez nesta fórmula de disputa do Brasileirão, em 2009, quando somou 67 – sendo o time a conquistar o título nacional com menos pontos com 20 clubes na Série A. Ou seja, após 38 rodadas disputadas.

MAIOR INVENCIBILIDADE DO FLAMENGO EM CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Em 1980, o Flamengo, de Zico, ficou 17 partidas sem perder no Campeonato Brasileiro. É a maior série invicta do Rubro-Negro no torneio nacional, levando em consideração todas as edições desde 1971. A equipe de Jorge Jesus, em 2019, já ostenta uma invencibilidade de 13 partidas, entre a 14ª e 26ª rodada.

Faltam três jogos sem derrotas para igualar o feito do time de Zico. Nas próximas semanas, o Flamengo tem o clássico com o Fluminense, no Maracanã, recebe o CSA, no Rio de Janeiro, e, por fim, visitará o Goiás, no Serra Dourada.

VITÓRIAS SEGUIDAS COMO VISITANTE

O Flamengo sempre foi muito forte atuando no Rio de Janeiro, com o apoio da Nação no Maracanã. Assim, talvez o ponto diferencial da campanha nesta edição do Campeonato Brasileiro seja o desempenho rubro-negro fora de casa. São 14 partidas, sendo oito vitórias conquistadas , três empates e três derrotas.

Destes, sete foram sob o comando de Jorge Jesus e de forma consecutiva, entre agosto e outubro: Vasco, Ceará, Avaí, Cruzeiro, Chape, Athletico-PR e Fortaleza.

ARTILHEIRO DO FLAMENGO COM MAIS GOLS NO BRASILEIRÃO

Gabriel Barbosa, o Gabigol, já é o artilheiro do Flamengo em edições em pontos corridos do Campeonato Brasileiro, entre 2003 e 2019, com mais gols em uma única edição. São 19 até agora, o que o deixa ao lado de Adriano. Em 2009, o Imperador balançou a rede 19 vezes e ajudou o Rubro-Negro a ser campeão.

Levando em consideração todos os Campeonatos Brasileiros desde 1971, o maior artilheiro do Flamengo em uma única edição foi Zico, em 1980, com 21 gols. Com 12 rodadas pela frente neste Brasileirão, Gabigol pode alcançar o feito do Galinho de Quintino, grande ídolo da história do clube da Gávea.

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

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2015Medium-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.