WORCESTERSHIRE Royals returned to winning ways in the totesport League Division Two with a 39 runs win over Yorkshire Phoenix at Headingley yesterday.

"It was nice to get back on track after what was an extremely poor performance against Durham last week," said the County's director of cricket Tom Moody.

"We got off to a good start, which was important. And after an indifferent start with the ball ourselves, we helped peg it back well."

Ajmal Shahzad, meanwhile, became the first Yorkshire-born Asian to play for the county in their 141-year history.

The White Rose, often criticised for failing to hand opportunities to home-grown ethnic minorities, called 18-year-old academy product Shahzad into the side after a host of injuries blighted their attack.

He opened the bowling from the Kirkstall Lane end with Tim Bresnan and fared relatively well on a good batting wicket going for 35 off six overs.

Shahzad said: "I'm chuffed to bits. It was just a great moment for me going out and playing in front of this crowd at Headingley. Now I want to keep performing and do it again."

The England Under-19 player believes his emergence will encourage other youngsters from ethnic backgrounds to push on and play for the county.

He said: "There's plenty of Asians coming through now and I'm just happy that I'm one of them.

"I think more will follow. They will see that the theory Yorkshire don't let Asians through isn't true.

"I believe they will work harder now to get their chance and think 'if he can do it, why not me?"'

Vikram Solanki (68) top-scored for the County, blasting nine fours and a six in a stylish 71-ball innings and he was well supported by Graeme Hick (54) - celebrating his 38th birthday - and Kadeer Ali (51).

After a quick-fire start Yorkshire managed to tighten up with Craig White's medium pace proving effective while spinner Richard Dawson took two for 42 and Bresnan claimed two for 50 as the visitors finished on 238 for six.

In reply Yorkshire were narrowly ahead at the 15-over mark, White (31) and Matthew Wood (46) opening well as the hosts reach 86 for one, White going after mistiming a hook off Matthew Mason.

However Wood was needlessly run out four runs short of his half-century and Michael Lumb (16) followed in similar circumstances.

England's Anthony McGrath (three) did not help matters when he top-edged a Gareth Batty delivery behind to Steven Rhodes and suddenly Phoenix were 108 for four approaching the midway point.

Aussie Phil Jaques (25) looked capable of getting them back in the hunt with two huge sixes over deep square leg but his next attempt of Mark Harrity lofted to Ben Smith at mid-wicket.

Andrew Gale (nine), promoted from the second string, also fell to Harrity and Phoenix's hopes of a fourth-successive Division Two victory were gone.

Bresnan raised hopes briefly with 29 runs off 29 deliveries but once Nadeem Malik had bowled him and Dawson in the space of three deliveries, the rally petered out.

Rhodes stumped Shahzad (five) off David Leatherdale and then Richard Blakey (27) was caught by Hick off Nadeem deep in the leg side as Phoenix were dismissed for 199 with nine deliveries remaining.