Yorkshire | Ben Cliff shines as his side cruise past Warwickshire

Yorkshire (140/5) beat Warwickshire (137 all out)

Yorkshire made a strong start to their One-Day Cup campaign with a five-wicket victory over Warwickshire.

View from the stands in Scarborough

Author | Oliver W

Cliff claimed career-best figures of 5 for 46 from 8.3 overs as Warwickshire were skittled for just 137 inside 37 overs. Last year’s semi-finalists found themselves in deep trouble at 38 for 7 after being inserted by stand-in captain Dom Bess, and never truly recovered.

Bowling from the Trafalgar Square End, Cliff struck four times with the new ball and returned from the Peasholm Park End to remove Vansh Jani, who had provided some resistance with a spirited 82 from 92 balls. The 20-year-old, making only his second first-team appearance, struck five sixes and guided his side to some form of respectability by sharing 99 runs for the final three wickets.

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Cliff was well supported by Matthew Revis and George Hill, who both took two wickets, while Jack White was outstanding with a spell of 1 for 21 from 10 overs. Adam Lyth was reliable in the slips, taking four catches to equal a Yorkshire record for most outfield catches in a List A innings.

Despite Jani’s best efforts, Warwickshire’s total was never likely to be enough. Yorkshire chased down the target comfortably, reaching it in the 33rd over. Pakistani international Imam-ul-Haq led the way with a measured 55 from 83 balls, hitting nine boundaries to anchor the innings.

It was a commanding performance from Yorkshire, who began their Group B campaign with a display full of control and purpose.

Best reaction

Ben Cliff told the Yorkshire social media team: "We’re very confident, as we should be. It’s a great start against a decent Bears side. Hopefully we can keep on winning. We’re very confident, as we should be. It’s a great start against a decent Bears side. Hopefully we can keep on winning."

One Yorkshire fan told us: "Even if the match wasn't great, it is still nice to win. A fantastic setting for a game of cricket too."