Bears get Ed start in bid to reach cup knockout

A SUBLIME unbeaten 141 from Ed Barnard gave Warwickshire’s qualification hopes in the Metro Bank One Day Cup a boost as his side beat Durham by four wickets, despite a magnificent century from Alex Lees.

- By THOMAS RIDLEY

Consistent wickets plagued Durham’s innings, but the reliable Lees displayed a mix of grit and fluency to pick up a List A best of 148 and was well supported by Ben Raine (46) to get the home side to a total of 300 for eight.

Warwickshire got off to a shaky start, but skipper Barnard and Hamza Shaikh combined for a partnership worth 106 to give them the edge. Shaikh was dismissed, but Barnard continued the charge and along with Michael Booth he took his side home with 14 balls to spare.

The visitors put Durham into bat at an overcast Banks Homes Riverside and they struck early on as Ollie Robinson’s mistimed pull to Ethan Bamber short ball, was caught by Kai Smith.

Will Rhodes then departed for 15 as he nicked a pull shot to Bamber and Smith clung on to it behind the stumps.

Emilio Gay played a couple of delightful cover drives, but departed for 26 as he pulled a Barnard ball straight to Alex Davies on the boundary.