SECOND XI REPORT: Yorkshire V Bears
The Birmingham Bears Second XI split Tuesday’s doubleheader against Yorkshire Second XI at the Weetwood Sports Ground.
Fielding first in the opening game, the Bears excellently restricted the hosts to 137/4 with first-team regulars Jack Leaning and Tim Bresnan scoring 56* and 42* respectively.
Ian Westwood’s side were cruising towards the total as opener Ed Pollock fired 64 runs off 41 balls (10 fours, one six), but a procession of quick wickets gave Yorkshire a slight glimmer of hope.
The Bears, however, got over the line as 15-year-old Jacob Bethell, who was making his Second XI debut and batting at eight, scored the winning single with three balls to spare.
The afternoon match started with Matt Lamb scoring 50 runs off 41 balls (six fours) and Pollock adding 34 runs off 18 balls to reach 157/75.
But what looked a competitive total was convincingly knocked off in 15.5 overs.
Jordan Thompson, a 2018 T20 debutant for the White Rose, struck 68 runs from 34 balls (five fours, five sixes) to close the Bears T20 preparations.
All-rounder Ashton Agar played the opening fixture, bowling figures of 4 for 25 and scoring 22.
The overseas player, who is available for all 2019 Vitality Blast fixtures, looks in good form ahead of the Bears season opener against Worcestershire Rapids at Blackfinch New Road.