YORKSHIRE went back to the top of Clydesdale Bank 40 Group ‘B’ with a comfortable win against the Netherlands.

Rich Pyrah was the star with the ball, before York-based Jonny Bairstow again showed he has the temperament to score runs under pressure to lead the Tykes home by five wickets.

“It was important to get back to winning ways,” said Bairstow, after his innings of 46. “I am really happy with the way I am striking the ball at the moment.”

Tim Bresnan gave the Tykes the start they wanted with two quick wickets after Andrew Gale had won the toss and elected to field.

Then, after Ajmal Shahzad had confirmed his return to fitness by removing Tom Cooper for 12, Pyrah began his assault.

He finished with 4-24 and along with Steven Patterson, who remarkably leaked only nine runs from his eight overs, the two of them strangled the Netherlands in the middle of their innings.

Only a late flurry of runs from the hosts’ lower order lifted them from 101-8 in the 34th over, to their final total of 154-9.

However, with a required run rate of only 3.8, it was always going to be difficult for the Netherlands to contain the Tykes top order.

At 41-0 they appeared to be cruising, until Jacques Rudolph, for six, and Gale, for 32, departed in quick succession.

Anthony McGrath and Adam Lyth were then ousted, leaving Yorkshire on 87-4 in the 22nd over, but then came Bairstow.

He put on 59 for the fifth wicket with Gerard Brophy, who struck 25, to effectively end the contest.

Meanwhile, Tino Best did not make the trip because he was at Headingley to “improve on his bowling”.