Bradford-born Gareth Batty helped Worcestershire defeat Yorkshire in just two days at Scarborough yesterday by figuring in an unbroken stand of 90 with captain Ben Smith which brought them victory by five wickets.

Batty had been drafted into the match in mid-afternoon on the first day after being discharged by England. But in the end it was his batting rather than his off-spin bowling which destroyed his native county.

The win strengthens Worcestershire's position at the top of the Division Two table while Yorkshire's promotion hopes were dealt a severe blow after taking only three points from the game.

Set 278 to win with two full days and two sessions yesterday at their disposal, Worcestershire were in some difficulties at 188 for five but Smith's unbeaten 87 and Batty's 54 not out saw them home.

Worcestershire claimed the extra half hour at 250 for five but by then Yorkshire were on their knees and only a further 3.2 overs were required to knock off the remaining 28 runs. Steve Kirby and Chris Silverwood bowled their hearts out but had little support.

Kirby also received an official warning from umpires Barrie Leadbeater and Mike Harris about his behaviour after two incidents in the field. He got involved in a show of dissent when Silverwood had an appeal for a catch rejected against Stephen Peters and then he gesticulated strongly when he bowled Graeme Hick for 47.

Resuming on 137 for five with an overall lead of 176, Yorkshire added a further 101 before being bowled out shortly before lunch, White completing his half-century before falling lbw to Matt Mason and there were useful contributions from the lower order.

Kirby struck an early blow for Yorkshire by having Peters caught at extra cover by McGrath but the patient Anurag Singh and Hick then added 75 before Hick failed to remove his bat from an inswinger from Kirby and played into his stumps. The fall of three further wickets kept Yorkshire in the hunt, but they were running short of options and Smith and Batty gradually assumed complete control, Smith striking ten boundaries off 136 balls while Batty had nine fours off 59 balls.