Bradford-born Gareth Batty helped Worcestershire defeat Yorkshire in 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 championship's Division Two table but Yorkshire's promotion hopes were dealt a severe blow through 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 in the end they had insufficient back-up support and Yorkshire were an experienced pace bowler short. They went into the game with two off-spinners in Andy Gray and Richard Dawson but Dawson was not used until Worcestershire were 174 for four.

The only good news for Yorkshire was that pitch liaison officer John Jameson called in after 25 wickets had crashed on the first day, decided there was not enough wrong with the pitch to take any action.

Yorkshire escaped any penalty and so did Kirby who received an official warning from umpires Barrie Leadbeater and Mike Harris about his behaviour after two incidents in the field when he overstepped the mark. He got involved in a show of dissent when Silverwood had an appeal for a catch behind the wicket rejected against Stephen Peters and then he gesticulated strongly when he bowled Graeme Hick for 47.

The umpires had a word with captain Anthony McGrath and made it clear they would impose disciplinary points if Kirby offended again but the bowler calmed down after tea and appeared to offer the umpires an apology.

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.