Report: Bears v Northants Steelbacks, Second XI T20

The Bears tasted double victory, by 45 runs and eight wickets, as their batters switched on the power in their back-to-back friendlies with Northants Steelbacks at Portland Road.

tomrawlings

2022-05-24T19:35:07.000Z

The Bears tasted double victory, by 45 runs and eight wickets, as their batters switched on the power in their back-to-back friendlies with Northants Steelbacks at Portland Road.

In the first game, the Bears piled up 253 for five after an explosive opening stand of 139 from 63 balls by Paul Stirling and Jake Bethell. Stirling warmed up for his senior Bears debut on Thursday with 71 from 38 balls while Bethell continued his breathtaking recent form with 69 from 31. The pair hit a combined 19 fours and seven sixes.

Sam Hain then kept the momentum high with a perky 37 (21 balls) before Adam Hose raised it yet further with a brutal 20-ball half-century, his unbeaten 52 including six sixes.

The Steelbacks' reply fell 45 short at 208 for six, Jake Lintott returning 4-0-29-2, excellent figures in the favourable batting conditions, and Henry Brookes also impressing with 4-0-34-1.

Rob Yates then took centre stage in the second game with a magnificent century. After the Steelbacks made 168 for seven (Will Rhodes and Manny Johal both taking two for 28), Yates smashed an unbeaten 102 from 42 balls with eight fours and nine sixes. Supported by Dom Sibley (33, 16 balls), the home-grown battery powered the Bears to 171 for two in just 11.2 overs.