Wrexham secured a vital point following an entertaining 1-1 draw with Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough at the Riverside. The Welsh side dominated for large swathes of the match and took an early lead, courtesy of a brilliant strike from Josh Windass, which took a deflection on its way in. But there was heartache for the visitors after Hayden Hackney’s diving header drew the hosts level with just a few minutes of the match remaining.

Wrexham heartache at the Riverside

It was the first-ever league meeting between the two sides and Middlesbrough were huge favourites coming into the match, having won eight of their last 11 home league games, but they were poor, with home fans airing their displeasure throughout the game. 

And it was Wrexham who opened the scoring with just seven minutes on the clock. A stunning goal from Windass, pinged into the top right-hand corner, which took a deflection on its way in and left Boro keeper Sol Brynn absolutely no chance of saving. Kieffer Moore should have doubled the lead, but crashed his effort off the crossbar. 

Middlesbrough pressed hard for an equaliser, forcing Wrexham's defence into a resolute performance. But the pressure eventually paid off, with the visitor's goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo making several key saves before being beaten as Boro's equaliser came from a header by Hackney in the 80th minute. This was the fifth time Phil Parkinson's side have conceded a late goal this season. 

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Windass scored an absolute screamer and was a real thorn in Middlesbrough's side all afternoon. He’s been a brilliant addition since joining on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday and the goal is Windass's fourth of the season, having also netted against Southampton and Norwich. His impactful performances since joining will be be crucial for Wrexham's ambitious promotion hopes.

Getty Images SportThe big loser

The draw with Wrexham is a body blow for Rob Edwards in Middlesbrough's promotion push. The result means The Boro, despite their home advantage, dropped crucial points, allowing league leaders Coventry City to extend their gap at the top after the Sky Blues beat Watford earlier in the day. Edwards showed a ruthless streak, making four changes at the half-time break, but his side struggled all afternoon. 

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Getty Images SportMatch rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐

Manchester United have it all to do this season, having started poorly yet again. Managerial scrutiny is no new thing at the Theatre of Dreams, and Ruben Amorim is very much at the centre of the current struggle at the club, and the pressure is mounting.

It is concerning that Amorim continues to search for his first back-to-back victories in the Premier League. It is concerning that, though we are only six games into the term, the Red Devils are 14th in the standings. It is concerning that Grimsby Town won on penalties to knock Man United out of the Carabao Cup in the second round.

It is more concerning still that banished players from last season are performing with such gusto since leaving Old Trafford, and who could typify that more than Marcus Rashford at Barcelona?

Marcus Rashford's Barcelona glow-up

Rashford was at a crossroads after concluding his loan spell with Aston Villa last season, having been ostracised by Amorim following the Portuguese manager’s arrival in England.

It was generally accepted that the change was needed for the Three Lions star, who has started life in Spain emphatically, scoring twice and assisting four goals across seven matches.

The 27-year-old has long been considered one of the most talented Englishmen of his generation and, indeed, enjoyed several staggering high points at Man United, at times one of the most clinical wingers in Europe.

He is coming back to form on loan with Barcelona, with his show-stopping performance against Newcastle United in the Champions League evidence of that.

However, there’s no question that Rashford was an issue for United last year, and that we might sadly be seeing Amorim’s new version of the talented forward emerging before our eyes.

Amorim's new version of Rashford

This summer, Bruno Fernandes proved his loyalty to Manchester United when rejecting the lucrative advances of Saudi Arabian suitors, but his performances since have left plenty to be desired.

He is the club’s best player. The captain, Fernandes has scored 17 goals and assisted 12 more across 47 matches for Amorim. But he has also presented a tactical quandary, with the manager’s 3-4-3 formation meaning he has been placed into a two-man central midfield.

It is not like Fernandes has not played in a deeper role before. The Portuguese Magnifico’s range of passing and technical command illustrates his versatility. However, rarely before coming under Amorim’s wing had he played in a two-man midfield.

Attacking midfield

396

141 (118)

Central midfield

108

29 (17)

Left winger

18

3 (3)

Right winger

14

5 (4)

Centre-forward

8

0 (3)

Holding midfield

7

4 (4)

It might be that a more naturally polished box-to-box player could help restore some semblance of fluency to the Man United team, and Fernandes’ frustrations at having missed two penalties already in the Premier League this season perhaps underscore his current plight, typically unerring from the spot.

Fernandes’ application cannot be questioned, and in that way, he differs from Rashford, but the £300k-per-week talent is one of the outfit’s superstars, and once again, Amorim may be dealing with such a big name entering persistent media discourse for all the wrong reasons.

Following the heavy defeat in the Manchester derby, the Independent’s Adam Cleary said that the skipper’s role deep in the centre of the field was becoming a “problem”, for he does not provide the defensive security and roundedness that is perhaps needed.

This is not a slight against Bruno. He is trying to bring it all together for the Red Devils, but fighting an uphill battle, and if Amorim fails to devise a formula for success soon, Fernandes might be following another former United talisman out the door, with hopes of rekindling his finest football before he sinks too deep into his thirties.

Worse than Amorim: INEOS open talks to hire 55-year-old manager for Man Utd

Manchester United are edging closer to an uncomfortable decision regarding Ruben Amorim’s future.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 29, 2025

Leeds United’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season has been impressive. The Whites have begun strongly in their return to the top flight, after two seasons in the Championship.

Of course, their promotion campaign last term was one of complete dominance under Daniel Farke.

They’ve already picked up eight points this season, which, according to Understat, is actually below the number of expected points. That tally sits at 9.96xPTS, which places the West Yorkshire outfit 10th in the table for that specific metric.

After a big summer transfer window, this Leeds side has a new look, with a few of their integral player from the Championship success struggling to get into the side this term.

The Leeds promotion stars who can’t get into team

It might be strange to see a couple of players from Farke’s dominant side last season, now struggling to get any sort of regular gametime this term. One of those is midfielder Ao Tanaka, who was a key cog in the middle of the park in 2024/25.

Yet, the Japanese international simply can’t get a look in, with Farke’s midfield signings of Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach preferred.

Last season, he played 43 times in the Championship, chipping in with seven goal involvements. So far this term, he’s only played 181 minutes of top-flight football.

Midfielder Tanaka is not the only player who falls into this category. Centre-forward Joel Piroe was a key player for Farke last season, scoring 19 times in 43 games, backing up his 13 goals from the season before.

He even bagged four goals in a single game against Stoke City.

After signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, however, Piroe simply can’t get a look in. He’s played fewer minutes in the top flight than Tanaka, racking up 147 across just three appearances this season.

He hasn’t scored yet, either.

There is one Leeds player who has played even fewer minutes this season, despite an important role in the 2024/25 campaign.

Why Leeds need to sell the "best in the league"

The start to the new season has shown that Farke is not afraid to make some big calls and replace the players who were so integral last season. You could call it a lack of loyalty, although it is a decision that is proving to be correct so far.

Another player who falls into the same category is goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Once described by Farke as “the best goalkeeper in the league,” he’s now fallen down the pecking order and can’t get into the Whites’ starting lineup.

Last term, the 25-year-old was, for much of the season, Leeds’ first-choice shot-stopper. He played the first 39 games of the season, but for the last seven, he was dropped from the side, following a string of mistakes.

That included his remarkable error against Sunderland.

It was not just that moment against the Black Cats, but “numerous monumental errors,” that cost him his place, according to Jonathan Buchan, BBC Radio Leeds Sports Editor.

As a result, Meslier has not played a single minute this season.

There are stats that back up this poor form on display from the goalkeeper, who was born in Lorient. For example, last season he averaged minus 3.11 goals prevented, meaning he conceded three extra goals than he should have.

Goals conceded

0.7

27

Saves made

1.7

65

Long balls completed

98

2.5

Goals prevented

-0.08

-3.11

Perhaps it is time for Leeds to move on from the Frenchman. He is the second choice behind Karl Darlow at the moment, and when summer signing Lucas Perri returns, it is surely safe to assume he will become Farke’s third choice.

It is a sad fall from grace for a goalkeeper once so highly rated by Farke. Yet, with the number of mistakes made by Meslier over the last 12 months in particular, it is understandable why he has been dropped, especially in the pressure cooker of the Premier League.

Their answer to Saka: Leeds now have "one of England's best prospects"

Leeds United have a teen star in their academy who could emerge as their own Bukayo Saka-type player.

ByDan Emery Oct 15, 2025

Rio Ferdinand has tipped his former England team-mate Steven Gerrard to return for a second stint as Rangers manager.

The former Liverpool captain has swiftly emerged as the odds-on bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Russell Martin at Ibrox, who was sacked on Sunday evening.

Gerrard remains a hero to many Rangers supporters after leading them to the Scottish Premiership title in 2020-21, which remains the only time they have won the league since their financial implosion in 2012.

Gerrard and Rangers a "perfect match"

In an interview with the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast, released on Tuesday but conducted before Martin’s dismissal, the 45-year-old former Aston Villa boss revealed he had “a bit of unfinished business” in management and wanted “to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

Gerrard said he and Rangers had been “the perfect match” during his spell of just over three years in charge between 2018 and 2021 and Ferdinand senses the former England captain would be open to an Ibrox return almost four years after he left for Villa.

“I have to say when I interviewed him, he left me in no uncertain terms that he wants to be a manager and he’s got full confidence in doing that,” the ex-Manchester United defender told talkSPORT.

“He’s itching to get back in now. He never said this to me, but I personally think just the energy that I felt in that room, that if Rangers came calling he’d go or at least have that conversation.

“What I felt, if I was an owner of a football club and Steven Gerrard was sat in front of me and I felt that energy in the room when I was interviewing him, he’s getting the job.

“Forget what’s gone on before, but also his time before at Rangers, he did great there. I’ve never had so many Rangers fans flood the comments of my social media or the podcast.

Related Rangers: Positive Ibrox talks held with 4-3-3 manager to replace Martin

The Gers have had positive discussions.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Oct 7, 2025

“They’re all desperate for him to go up and at least have the conversation, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Steven Gerrard is managing again very soon and Rangers would be probably one of my big bets.”

Other names touted as potential successors to Martin over the past couple of days include Hearts boss Derek McInnes, former Rangers player Kevin Muscat and ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche.

United States-based chairman Andrew Cavenagh, who on Monday admitted culpability in appointing Martin, is reportedly flying to the UK this week to hold talks with other senior figures, including vice-chairman Paraag Marathe, about the next boss.

يستعد فريق ريال مدريد للعودة إلى منافسات الدوري الإسباني، بعد خوضه مواجهة في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مساء الثلاثاء أمام ليفربول الإنجليزي.

وحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على ليفربول بملعب “آنفيلد” في إطار مباريات الجولة الرابعة لمرحلة الدوري ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتغلب ليفربول على ريال مدريد بهدف دون مقابل، عن طريق أليكسيس ماك أليستر في الدقيقة 61 من غمر المباراة.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة ليفربول وريال مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا

وتجمد رصيد ريال مدريد عند 9 نقاط في دوري أبطال أوروبا ويحتل المركز الخامس، أما ليفربول رفع رصيده إلى 9 نقاط ويحتل المركز السادس.

ويخوض ريال مدريد مباراته المقبلة أمام رايو فاليكانو في بطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا” موسم 2025-2026. موعد مباراة ريال مدريد ورايو فاليكانو

تقام المباراة يوم الأحد المقبل الموافق 9 من شهر نوفمبر الجاري، في تمام الساعة الخامسة والربع مساءً بتوقيت مصر، السادسة والربع بتوقيت السعودية.

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed what he thinks is the "most important tool" behind his longevity after plying his trade across Europe and now in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese icon is showing no signs of slowing down, even at 40, as he continues to chase down records with Al-Nassr and on the international stage. He has set himself the mind-boggling target of reaching 1,000 career goals before hanging up his boots, and he is just 51 short of reaching that total.

• Still breaking records at 40

  Ronaldo's career has been built on microscopic attention to detail, be it his diet, post-match recovery or gym sessions. And this rigorous discipline has helped him maintain his gold standard even at 40. Since joining Al-Nassr, he has scored 105 goals in 118 appearances, clinching back-to-back Golden Boots in the Saudi Pro League. In this campaign, he is again one of the contenders with five strikes already in as many matches.

  What’s remarkable is that Ronaldo’s hunger remains insatiable. And to fuel that undying desire for success, Ronaldo revealed his secret formula. In a revealing new video shared by WHOOP on their social media platforms, Ronaldo disclosed that sleep and a regular routine are his 'most important tools'.

  “Sleep is the most important tool that I have," he said. "To be consistent with the time that I go to bed and that I wake up. I mean, like example, I go to bed around 11-12 and I wake up around 8.30. It is my routine. It is the most important thing that we have probably in terms of health-span."

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• Two targets that are still pushing Ronaldo

  Ronaldo has long claimed that his target is to score 1,000 career goals, and people believe he might actually do it. Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson, who shared a dressing room with Ronaldo during his early days at Old Trafford, insisted the legend’s story is far from over. Speaking to GOAL, Simpson was emphatic that Ronaldo could play well into his mid-40s.

  "I don’t think you can write him off," he said. "As long as he is scoring goals, as long as he doesn’t get any injuries, then it wouldn't surprise me because it’s him. I know he wants 1,000 goals. And I think he wants to play with his son."

  The Portuguese wants to build an enduring legacy that can withstand the test of time, as Simpson added: "Playing with your son, that’s probably one of the biggest targets that you can go for once you have won everything. Sharing a pitch with your son must be some feeling. You look at those targets. He does set targets and you look at those – 1,000 goals and play with his son – does he do those and think ‘right, I’ve done it all now’? I don’t know where you go after that. He’s just a phenomenal person, player. What he’s done for the game, it’s unbelievable."

• Getty/Instagram
  

  Following in his footsteps

  Ronaldo has never hidden his dream of one day sharing the field with his eldest son, Cristianinho. The 14-year-old is already turning heads in Al-Nassr’s youth setup, and according to his father, he’s progressing faster than he did at the same age.

  "When I was his age, he is a little bit bigger and stronger," he said. "I was smaller. I think he will be bigger than me. Let’s see if he has the hunger. The hunger is the most difficult."

  For a man who has conquered Europe’s toughest leagues, lifted five Champions League trophies, and carried his nation to European and Nations League glory, Ronaldo’s next challenge is deeply personal as he is battling time to continue long enough in the game to share the same dressing room with his son.

  "I would like it, I would like it," he had admitted. "It's not something that keeps me up at night, but I would like it. We'll see. It's more in his hands than in mine."

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• Unfinished business in the Middle East

  Ronaldo's spell in Saudi Arabia has produced individual accolades, but team success has remained elusive as he continues to chase domestic and continental glory. Riding on Ronaldo and Joao Felix's strong form, Al-Nassr have had a bright start to their league campaign and will look to build on their early momentum when they face Al-Hazm this Sunday. 

MatériaMais Notícias

Fortaleza e Grêmio empataram em 1 a 1 na tarde deste sábado (30), no Castelão, pela 25ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Em um jogo com oportunidades para os dois lados, Thiago Galhardo converteu cobrança de pênalti para os donos da casa aos 42 minutos do primeiro tempo, mas Luis Suárez deixou tudo igual no placar aos 34′ da etapa final.

FICHA TÉCNICA
FORTALEZA 1 X 1 GRÊMIO
25ª RODADA DO BRASILEIRÃO

Data e hora:30 de setembro de 2023, às 16h (de Brasília)
Estádio:Castelão, Fortaleza (CE)
Árbitro:Raphael Claus (Fifa/SP)
Assistentes:Alex Ang Ribeiro (Fifa/SP) e Daniel Luis Marques (SP)
VAR:Daiane Muniz (Fifa/SP)
Cartões amarelos:Nathan e Lucas Besozzi (Grêmio), Benevenuto (Fortaleza)
Gols:Thiago Galhardo (1-0, aos 42′ do 1ºT), Luis Suárez (1-1, aos 34′ do 1ºT)

FORTALEZA:Fernando Miguel; Dudu (Tinga, aos 44′ do 2ºT), Benevenuto, Tobias Figueiredo e Gonzalo Escobar;Pedro Augusto,Lucas Sasha e Lucas Crispim (Pochettino, aos 36′ do 2ºT); Machuca (Romarinho, aos 29′ do 2ºT), Pikachu (Calebe, aos 28′ do 2ºT) e Galhardo (Silvio Romero, aos 44′ do 2ºT).Técnico:Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

GRÊMIO:Gabriel Grando; João Pedro, Geromel, Kannemann e Reinaldo; Carballo (Lucas Besozzi, aos 13′ do 2ºT), Pepê e Nathan (Ronald, aos 13′ do 2ºT); Cristaldo (Everton Galdino, após o intervalo), João Pedro Galvão (Ferreira*, aos 33′ do 1ºT) – (Fábio*, aos 44′ do 2ºT) e Suárez.Técnico:Renato Gaúcho.

Rohit says the team had their hearts in their mouths when the catch was being checked by the third umpire

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jun-20256:59

Rohit Sharma relives India’s T20 World Cup victory

Suryakumar Yadav’s catch to dismiss David Miller in the last over was “the moment” of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, India’s captain in the tournament Rohit Sharma said. He also admitted to feeling the nerves when India lost three early wickets and heaped praise on Virat Kohli’s knock that helped them win the title.South Africa needed 16 runs off the last over in their chase of 177, with Miller on strike. Hardik Pandya had the ball, and he started off with a wide full toss that Miller launched down the ground. Suryakumar ran to his left from long-off and grabbed the ball, before lobbing it up as momentum took him over the boundary rope, and then got back inside to complete the catch.”Even after [the catch], the umpires sent it up to the third umpire and it was being checked whether Surya caught the ball or not, and everyone’s hearts were in their mouths,” Rohit told JioHotstar in a video to celebrate the one-year anniversary of India lifting the trophy.”I thought it had gone [for a six]. Because I was at [long-on], I was standing opposite Surya. I was already thinking ’10 needed off five balls’, but then I saw that it’s coming to Surya.”It would have taken a blinder to take that catch. It would have taken a lot of effort to take that catch. Because when it was in the air, it looked like it’ll cross the rope easily. But the way the wind was blowing, that pulled the ball a little bit into the ground I think.”I was standing with Surya when they were checking the catch and I told him ‘You only tell me [if it was a catch or not], I don’t want to look [at the big screen]’,” Rohit said.”‘No, no I caught it.’ But then I saw him on the side telling someone ‘Maybe, I don’t know. But I caught it’. And then they showed the zoom camera, and when the ball or feet touch the boundary rope, it moves, but nothing happened. So we were a little happy. But unless it comes on the board, you never know what the third umpire is thinking,” Rohit said, recalling the catch.Eye-conic – How Suryakumar Yadav caught David Miller out•Getty Images

South Africa only managed eight runs off that 20th over, as India sealed their second T20 World Cup trophy with a seven-run victory.India won the toss in the final, and got off to a good start with the bat. Three boundaries from Kohli in the first over, and then two from Rohit in the second saw them race to 23 off the first eight deliveries.But things took a turn when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Rohit and Rishabh Pant in the second over, and Kagiso Rabada removed Suryakumar to leave India three down in the powerplay.”When we lost those three wickets up front, there were obviously a lot of nerves in the dressing room,” Rohit said. “I was panicking. I was not comfortable. I was thinking that we let them into the game.”But of course, in the back of my mind there was always a thought that our lower middle order had not batted so much in the tournament but whenever they had the opportunity, they made an impact.”Axar Patel, batting at No. 5, joined Kohli at the crease and the two added 72 runs off 54 balls to revive India’s innings, before Kohli and Shivam Dube added another 57 off 33 to help India finish on 176.”Not many people are talking about [Axar’s] knock, but that knock was a gamechanger. To get 47 off 31 in that time was very, very crucial.Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hug it out after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup•AFP/Getty Images

“And then we needed one guy to stick around and Virat did that job perfectly. Batted throughout the entire innings, which was good. Because then Shivam, Axar, Hardik — they can come in and play their role.”Kohli had endured a difficult tournament until the final, with just 75 runs from seven innings. But he more than doubled that tally in the final, anchoring India with 76 off 59 — an innings that earned him the Player of the Match.”If you get three boundaries in the first over itself, then obviously you’ve started off well and that is what every cricketer wants. It relieves you a little bit,” Rohit said.”You know, the experience of playing for India for so long, being there, it really helps. You can control your emotions, you can control your thoughts and be in the moment. And I am sure he was thinking the same – ‘today is the day I need to be focused and not worry about what has happened in the past’. And he played a great knock.”

The series will act as preparation for Nepal to claim one of the three remaining spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jun-2025Nepal have been confirmed as the first of four international teams for the 2025 Top End T20 Series to be played in Darwin from August 14 to 24. The series will act as preparation for Nepal as they look to claim one of the three remaining spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be played in India and Sri Lanka early next year.Nepal are scheduled to arrive in Darwin in early August and will play a minimum of six T20s, at the DXC Arena, the TIO Stadium and Cazaly’s Arena.”We are excited and looking forward to participating in the Top End T20 Series,” Cricket Association of Nepal secretary Paras Khadka said. “It presents a valuable opportunity to prepare with strong intent and focused practice ahead of our ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers [to be held in Oman in October].Related

Nepal and West Indies to play 'historic' first bilateral T20I series

“Competing against quality opponents in Australian conditions will provide our players with critical exposure, helping them better understand their game and grow as professional cricketers.”Nepal brought in former Australia batter Stuart Law as their head coach in March this year, after which they played a T20I tri-series against Netherlands and Scotland in Glasgow, where they finished second.After the T20s in Darwin, Nepal are scheduled to play their first bilateral T20I series against West Indies, in Sharjah at the end of September.”We could not be more excited to welcome the Nepal national cricket team to the Northern Territory and Top End T20 Series for the first time,” Northern Territory Cricket CEO, Gavin Dovey said. “Nepal has developed a fanatical following in their home country and among the Nepali diaspora, so we are delighted that all Nepalese eyes will be on the Northern Territory as we play a role in their cricketing journey.”The remaining participants and schedule of the Top End T20 Series will be announced in the coming weeks.

Allrounder Ed Barnard hit an excellent middle-order 67 and then helped close things out with the ball as Birmingham Bears defended a 206-target to claim a crucial Vitality Blast win over Yorkshire at Headingley.Barnard’s 40-ball knock was the centrepiece of a 205 for 8 total which also included a telling late assault of 76 runs in the last five overs from the lower order.Pakistan seamer Hasan Ali hit 22 not out off eight balls and later struck twice with the ball, sealing a third win in six in the North Group – this by 32 runs.Yorkshire, for whom New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke struck three times with the ball, looked well placed to reel in the target thanks to opener and captain Dawid Malan’s 65 off 34 balls. But his fourth successive fifty in this competition was not enough to prevent a fourth defeat in six, the hosts finishing on 173 for 5.Alex Davies, who elected to bat, guided George Hill’s seam to short third – 20 for 1 in the second over. Dom Bess, with his first ball, and O’Rourke then removed Dan Mousley bowled and Sam Hain caught at point as the Bears ended the powerplay at 51 for 3.Tom Latham and Barnard steadied through accumulation to reach halfway with the score on 85. However, the former fell on 24 at the start of the 12th when he top-edged England Lion Hill to long-leg.That was the first of three wickets in successive overs as the Bears slipped back into trouble at 123 for 6 in the 14th over. Moeen Ali was lbw to Jack White for 9 and Kai Smith caught behind off O’Rourke’s pace. But their batters refused to die wondering on a belter of a batting pitch.George Garton whacked two sixes over long-on as 21 came off Bess in the 16th before he skewed O’Rourke to deep cover in the 18th – 160 for 7. Sandwiched in between, Barnard reached a 32-ball fifty.Barnard fell caught in the deep off Jack White in the penultimate, which ended with two Hasan sixes to help the Bears get above 200.Will Luxton skewed Hassan’s pace high to mid-off in the second over of a chase which advanced at pace. Malan hit two slog-swept sixes over midwicket off Danny Briggs’ spin in the fifth over and the score reached 56 for 1 after six.Garton dropped Malan at deep midwicket on 29 off Briggs in the seventh over, though there was success for the Bears when Moeen’s second ball bowled Adam Lyth – 66 for 2 in the eighth.Malan aside, Yorkshire’s batting has been sketchy this campaign. So by now, it felt like Malan or bust for the hosts. By the time he reached his latest fifty, off 29 balls, the hosts were 100 for two early in the 12th over.James Wharton provided impressive third-wicket support in sharing 55 with his skipper, though left-armer Briggs struck a key blow in the 13th when he had Malan caught at short fine-leg off a skied top-edged sweep – 121 for 3.Yorkshire needed 65 off the last five overs before Mousley’s offspin removed powerful Australian Will Sutherland, the target becoming a stiffer 47 off three overs at 159 for 4. Wharton fell for 37 in the penultimate over before Barnard’s seam – nought for 18 from three overs – closed out the last, defending 39.