Bears complete run chase to beat Yorkshire

WARWICKSHIRE completed a level-headed chase of 185 on day three to beat Yorkshire by five wickets at Headingley, securing their second Rothesay County Championship victory of the season.

- By ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

The Bears started the day on 15 without loss, and openers Rob Yates and Alex Davies contributed 41 and 31 respectively. However, they reached lunch by no means secure at 109 for four, needing 76 more.

But they were able to move into the top three in the Division One table midway through the afternoon thanks to first-class debutant Zen Malik, who finished 49 not out off 73 balls, including a pulled six off George Hill to win it.

While Warwickshire won their second game in four, Yorkshire have lost two from four and are in the bottom three.

The hosts will be mightily frustrated at the fact they were unable to capitalise on the availability of England batsmen Harry Brook and Joe Root. The latter's second-innings 90 was their best score in four innings.

However, they just didn't bowl well enough on a grassy pitch offering assistance for the bowlers. Overseas Australian debutant Jordan Buckingham, for example, went at more than seven runs an over on his debut, striking only twice.

And the Bears were deserved winners, backing up last month's one-wicket success at Durham. They were able to capitalise on winning an important toss and bowling Yorkshire out for 205 on day one.