One-Day Cup: Yorkshire beat Lancashire despite Brown century

Karl Brown made the second one-day century of his career in a losing cause for Lancashire

A career-best 129 from Karl Brown was not enough for Lancashire as they lost by 47 runs to rivals Yorkshire in their opening game of the One-Day Cup.

The visitors posted 324-7 in their 50 overs after winning the toss, Kane Williamson top-scoring with 70.

Lancashire made a poor start in reply but Brown shared a fourth-wicket stand of 103 with captain Paul Horton (38) to bring the hosts back into contention.

However, Brown fell in a pivotal 43rd over as Lancashire ended 277 all out.

They were well placed when Horton fell in unfortunate circumstances - seamer Richard Pyrah deflecting a straight drive from Brown onto the stumps at the bowler's end, catching Horton well out of his ground.

Brown was dropped twice as he approached his century, which he reached off 82 balls, but Jack Brooks returned to the Yorkshire attack and bowled the 26-year-old to all but seal victory.

Earlier, New Zealander Williamson put a difficult week behind him - he was been banned from bowling in international and domestic cricket on Wednesday because of an illegal action - to help Yorkshire set an imposing target.

Lancashire batsman Karl Brown:

"I'm disappointed we've lost having got reasonably close from a tough position, but we have to give Yorkshire a lot of credit. They were the better side tonight.

"We just wanted to get down to the last 10 overs needing around 100 or 110, and we thought if we had wickets in hand going into that period, we would have a chance to get over the line."

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie:

"To win by 47 in our first 50-over game we've played for a while is really pleasing.

"Our batting was outstanding. To score 324 was a wonderful achievement. The innings was paced well.

"Had Karl Brown stayed out there right to the end, Lancs could well have got over the line. I thought that was an outstanding knock. When Jack Brooks bowled him, I was certainly glad to see the back of him."