Phoenix given lift as Dynamos fail to fire

Things are heating up in Division One of the Norwich Union League after Yorkshire Phoenix beat Durham Dynamos by 28 runs in the day/night clash at Headingley.

Having won the toss the home side elected to bat, but lost Matthew Wood (5) and Chris Silverwood (1) with only 30 on the board. Vic Craven (59) and Gary Fellows (50) overcame this setback to play masterfully and solidly, giving Phoenix the platform they needed to secure their third victory in as many days. The former produced a fireworks display with five well-timed fours and two beautifully struck sixes, whilst Fellows' running between the wickets was energetic as their side reached 222. Neil Killeen took three for 42 and Paul Collingwood three for 29 in an untidy bowling display which conceded 19 wides.

The visitors got off to a shambolic start in reply. Silverwood (three for 15) made amends for his early dismissal with three crisp wickets to help reduce the visitors to 19 for four. He trapped Michael Gough lbw for four, and had Danny Law caught by Wood for a duck before bowling England man Paul Collingwood for three. Tim Bresnan bagged the other wicket when he sent Nicky Peng back to the pavilion before he could make a start.

Gary Pratt (84) and Andrew Pratt (59) then put on 88 for the sixth wicket as they tried to restore order. The older Pratt continued to work hard for his runs, finding the boundary only five times, but in the end his efforts were in vain as Fellows' precision bowling undid the Durham tail-end. Yorkshire climb into third place after their latest win, and go level with Warwickshire with a game in hand.

The Division Two encounter between Sussex Sharks and Gloucestershire Gladiators survived ten balls before persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned. Both sides get two points each and Sussex remain at the bottom of the table.