LONDON, CMC- Tino Best had a memorable debut for Yorkshire, when he bowled impressively, and the English county won their Pro40 match against Essex on Sunday.
The Barbadian fast bowler collected four wickets for 46 runs from eight overs, as Essex, sent in to bat, reached 232 for nine from their allocation of 40 overs at the County Ground in Chelmsford.
Openers Andrew Gale and Jacques Rudolph, the former South Africa batsman, then hit hundreds to carry Yorkshire to victory with 25 balls to spare.
Gale smashed 12 fours and three sixes to lead the way with an undefeated 125, and left-hander Rudolph supported with 13 boundaries in an unbeaten 101 from 102 balls.
Best had given Yorkshire to early initiative, when he bowled England batsman Alistair Cook for four with the last ball of the opening over.
He checked Essex’s advance, when Netherlands international Ryan ten Doeschate was caught behind for eight to leave the home team on 126 for four in the 23rd over.
Best then struck twice in the 35th over, when he trapped Tom Westley lbw for four, and had Tim Phillips caught in the outfield for a first-ball duck to leave Essex 190 for seven.
At the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Jamaican off-spin all-rounder Gareth Breese played a very small role in Durham’s 149-run victory over Hampshire.
Breese did not bat, when Durham posted 264 for six from their 40 overs, before he held a catch to dismiss Nik Pothas for three off Will Gidman, and brought the match to a conclusion with the scalp of tail-ender James Tomlinson for 14 with the last ball of his only over.
At Whitgift School in Croydon, Daren Powell made a return to competitive action, following his decision to retire from the Jamaica national team, but the rust was clearly showing.
The former West Indies fast bowler delivered seven overs for 49 runs, as Lancashire lost their rain-affected match by two wickets with one ball to spare against Surrey.
Powell did not bat, when Lancs posted 290 for six from their 40 overs, but he was less than impressive with the ball, as Surrey successfully chased a revised target of 283 from 39 overs because of rain.
