Northants' dismal run continues at Headingley

Yorkshire Phoenix ended a run of three consecutive defeats in Division One of the Norwich Union League by gaining a 16-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks who are still searching for their first win after five outings.

Craig White gave England hope that he will be fully fit again for the battle for the Ashes by working up his fastest pace since suffering his back injury and he weighed in with three for 30 off nine hostile overs in which he was unfortunate not to pick up more wickets.

The England all-rounder was well supported by Chris Silverwood who returned to the Yorkshire side after a groin strain and snatched three for 28 and it was his two wickets in one over that put Yorkshire in command after Northants had needed 40 from the last five overs with six wickets still standing.

Northants were well served by Russell Warren and Alec Swann who both knocked up 54 before being dismissed by Matthew Hoggard but the strike bowler was nowhere near his best form and had earlier been removed from the attack when his opening two overs cost 17 runs.

Warren's runs were made from 86 balls with four fours while Swann required only 65 deliveries, striking three fours and a six.

Put in to bat, Yorkshire made a rapid start with 44 coming off the first seven overs before spinner Jason Brown grabbed three wickets in nine consecutive overs which cost him only 23 runs.

Skipper David Byas held firm, however, and went on to make 52 off 93 balls with seven boundaries before having his off-stump uprooted by Tony Penberthy.

Yorkshire continued to be put under severe pressure until Richard Blakey and Silverwood broke free while dashing up 49 together off the last five overs.

They hammered 16 runs - Yorkshire's winning margin - in the final over from Darren Cousins, Silverwood ending unbeaten on 27 from 20 balls with two sixes and two fours, and Blakey having three boundaries in his 26 not out from 27 deliveries.