County Championship: Rob Yates scores century as Warwickshire beat Essex

Rob Yates showed some early intention by striking Simon Harmer for six

Rob Yates' unbeaten century helped Warwickshire to a seven-wicket victory over defending county champions Essex.

Set 256 to win, the 21-year-old hit 120 not out as the Bears reached their target in the penultimate over.

Sam Hain (60) and India batsman Hanuma Vihari (52) provided excellent support.

Essex moved from 213-9 to 244 all out in the morning session, with Simon Harmer finishing on 82 not out, but they ultimately fell to a first defeat in 22 first-class games.

After losing by an innings to Hampshire in the first match of the 2019 County Championship season, they went unbeaten for the rest of the campaign to claim the title.

Tom Westley's men then lifted the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020 without defeat.

Despite setting Warwickshire a bigger target than they might have expected when they were 35-5 and leading by 46 in their second innings, it was still a relatively comfortable chase for the Bears as Yates demonstrated huge maturity.

The Solihull-born opener shared century stands with Vihari and Hain and, despite Hain getting out with a few overs remaining, local lad Yates kept his cool to score the winning run with seven deliveries to spare.

Unbeaten Warwickshire are now top of Group One, having won two of their first three games.

Warwickshire centurion Rob Yates told BBC Radio WM:

"Taking it over the line is something I've wanted to do for a long time. It was just really special. This ton was much better than my first purely because of winning. It was just an amazing feeling to be out there to contribute.

"We never doubted ourselves. We always knew we could win, so it was just about staying out in the middle and figuring it out over by over and seeing where we were.

"We always had the objective in mind. We just wanted to bat and tick along and take it as deep as we can and now we've beaten a very good Essex side."

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath:

"It is our first defeat in 22 matches so we shouldn't get too downbeat about it, but it is upsetting.

"We are not used to losing. The boys are hurting in there but, having said that, all credit to Warwickshire, they paced that innings really well.

"The pitch did become benign but you have still got to put runs on the board and, against the quality of our attack, that does take some doing, so nothing should deflect from the quality of their victory."