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Windows helps champions to win over Yorkshire Andrew Jefferson - 20 May 2001
A half-century from Matt Windows led champions Gloucestershire to a five-wicket victory over Yorkshire in the Norwich Union League match at Bristol. Set 160 to win, the game was in the balance when Gloucestershire were 77-3 in the 27th over. But Windows, with an 87-ball innings of 51, helped seal a second win of the campaign for Mark Alleyne's side with four deliveries remaining. Yorkshire's total was always going to be more challenging than it appeared on a slow, seaming pitch that was not conducive to positive strokeplay. Visiting captain David Byas opted to bat first, but his team were soon struggling at 53-5 in the 22nd over. It needed a partnership of 73 in 15 overs between Darren Lehmann and Gary Fellows to rescue affairs. Lehmann required 24 deliveries to make double figures - unusually cautious play from the free-scoring Australian - but he then stepped up the tempo to strike seven fours in his 78-ball innings. Kim Barnett's occasional seamers eventually had him caught behind by Reggie Williams as he attempted to cut. Fellows departed three overs later when he swung across the line at Martyn Ball's off-spin and was lbw. Richard Blakey made an unbeaten 16, but the rest of Yorkshire's tail offered little. Gloucestershire skipper Alleyne claimed 2-17 in his nine overs and there were also two wickets apiece for Jon Lewis, James Averis and Ball. Tim Hancock and Barnett gave the Gloucestershire reply a good start with a stand of 43 in 12 overs before the former was caught at cover by Craig White off Chris Silverwood. Chris Taylor fell lbw to Fellows for a duck and then Barnett, back in the side after a foot injury, was run out for 29 by James Middlebrook's throw from short fine leg. Windows and Rob Cunliffe then put on 63 in 15 overs for the fourth wicket and, although both departed in the closing stages, Alleyne and Jeremy Snape calmed any nerves by taking ten off the penultimate over from Fellows.
© CricInfo Ltd.
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