BARN-storming Bears are back in business - Ed

ED Barnard saluted his side after the Bears opened the Vitality Blast North Group right up with a 36-run victory over leaders Lancashire Lightning at Edgbaston.

- By BRIAN HALFORD

The hosts stacked up 203 for nine, their first 200-plus total against Lancashire in the Blast, thanks to Dan Mousley’s thunderous 32 from 12 balls, which took them to 74 in the powerplay, and Barnard’s luscious 54 (34).

Jack Blatherwick and Tom Hartley emerged from the onslaught with a creditable three for 29 and two for 29 respectively.

Lancashire replied with 167 all out from 18.1 overs, their chase undone right at the start when George Garton (four for 28) dismissed both openers in the first over. They slumped to 111 for seven and Hartley’s violent late 35 (16) was in a lost cause as the Lightning faded to defeat beneath the beautiful, burgundy Birmingham sunset.

"It was a great result. The other night (at Durham) we felt we didn't attack the game the way we should so it was great to put that right in front of our own fans, especially against a really good Lancashire side," said all-rounder Barnard.

"We always want to play positively and with freedom and in some games we have not quite done that, but to get over 200 was great because that always puts pressure on the side batting second.