Bears duo set up win as Ali gets five stars once again

WARWICKSHIRE completed back-to-back Metro Bank One-Day Cup wins with an emphatic 79-run victory over Kent at Rugby School.

- By BRIAN HALFORD

The Bears totalled 283 for nine, largely thanks to Ed Barnard (60 from 68 balls) and Kai Smith 58 (57). On a pitch offering some turn, they coped most capably with a spin attack led by Matt Parkinson, who bowled beautifully for 10-0-36-1.

Kent replied with 204 all out, only ever partially recovering from the early straits of 19 for three. Jaydn Denly hit 52 (58) and Harry Finch 50 (62) but leg-spinner Tazeem Ali followed his five for 43 against Northamptonshire last Sunday with five for 54 as the visitors succumbed to their third defeat in three games in the competition.

"It was a strong team performance," said Smith. "It was not an easy pitch to bat on, as the innings went on the ball seemed to get a lot softer and took spin so it was a really good effort to get to 283.

"All the contributions from the guys, the 40s and the 20s, were important. They added up to a decent score in the end, which gave us some confidence to go out and bowl with.