Date-stamped : 07 May97 - 06:16 Yorkshire miss worst of Donald By Mike Beddow at Edgbaston Yorkshire (14-0) need 220 runs to beat Warwickshire (233-8) THE least surprising event at Edgbaston yesterday was the darkness and then the downpour which spared Yorkshire further bombardment from Allan Donald. Rain had threatened all day and the torrent that arrived was terminal. David Byas and Michael Vaughan, probably thankful to have survived five overs, will resume this morning needing a further 220 for a victory which would break the parity between four teams in this qualifying section. Warwickshire lost their wickets in twos - one in the last over before a bowling change, the other in the first by a replacement - and though they always made a worthwhile response, the significant partnerships did not become substantial. Neil Smith, uninhibited by a slow pitch, was their trail- blazer with nine boundaries in his third half-century in the competition, and a second front was established by Trevor Penney and Dominic Ostler with 60 in 13 overs. Darren Gough, bright and enthusiastic as ever, and Richard Stemp went a long way towards restoring the balance and Warwickshire ultimately needed a late dash by Ashley Giles and Donald. Their stand delayed confirmation of a team change which only reached the official scorers when Yorkshire batted. Michael Edmond`s name was on the scorecard, but Dennis Amiss, the chief executive, said that Gladstone Small was in the declared side. Otherwise it was a routine Bank Holiday Monday. Smoke from a fire at a nearby bowls club completely obliterated the ground an hour before the start, and the local evening newspaper warned: "Snow on the way". Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Warwicks hopes rest on injuries By Mike Beddow at Edgbaston Yorks (237-5) bt Warwicks (233-8) by 5 wkts YORKSHIRE`S place in the quarter-final needs only to be rubber- stamped by victory over the Minor Counties next Monday, but Warwickshire`s survival probably depends as much on their injuries as their ability to beat Derbyshire in the final group match. Last night they awaited a decision on whether Tim Munton requires a back operation which would delay until July his first appearance as the official captain. Some compensation is provided by Nick Knight`s return in the Parks today, but another problem surfaced when Keith Piper reported unfit, not with the groin injury which kept him out for two matches last week but with a new ailment in the back. Dominic Ostler kept wicket when Yorkshire trotted home with 21 balls to spare. Michael Vaughan rightly won the gold award for taking his side to within seven runs of their target, though Darren Lehmann did more to please the few spectators who braved a second day. In barely a fortnight since he was rushed in as a replacement for Michael Slater, Lehmann has been given a crash course on lifeless early season pitches and the English climate - from shirt sleeves to one, two or three sweaters. Yorkshire appear to have chosen well. There is obvious quality in his batting: he sees the ball early and the arms swing freely in his off-side shots. To take 14 runs in an over from Allan Donald is an achievement; to do this with the help of a six over third man is cheeky. Not that everything was perfect. Two chances were put down at long on by Graeme Welch - the first a blush-maker, the second more difficult. In two innings this week, each lasting 65 balls, the South Australian left-hander has made 75 and 67, but for consistency in this competition, Vaughan is Yorkshire`s reliable tradesman with scores of 45, 46, 46 and now a personal best 88. Undeterred by a rap on the fingers from Donald, he played for Lehmann in a stand of 117 and then entered into the spirit of his subsequent partners until he was bowled through the gate. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)