Ethan Brookes' heroics with the bat and ball proved little more than a consolation as Worcestershire Rapids were beaten by Yorkshire Vikings in a thriller.

Despite an impressive all-round performance from Brookes, who scored 44 off 21 balls in Worcestershire's total of 205-6, and taking all four Yorkshire wickets, the injury-stricken Rapids were defeated by six wickets in a high-scoring Vitality Blast clash at Visit Worcestershire New Road on Sunday (July 14).

A stunning unbeaten 93 from England one-day player Dawid Malan, coupled with late powerful strikes from Jordan Thompson, allowed the visitors to secure victory with just three balls remaining.

Read more: Record-breaking day for Worcestershire Rapids' Hose and Waite in win

The home team was plagued with injuries, notably to Hayden Walsh and Matthew Waite, which forced them to exit the field during the Vikings' innings.

Top performers Adam Hose and Kashif Ali were also ruled out before the match commenced, in addition to pace bowler Nathan Smith.

Despite the setbacks, the Rapids forced their opponents to fight until the very end.

Thanks to the aggressive batting from captain Brett D'Oliveira (42), Josh Cobb (34), Ethan Brookes (44), and Rob Jones (35*), the Rapids managed to top 200 in an innings for the first time this season.

This required the Vikings to achieve their second-highest-ever run chase, after scoring 208 against Durham two years ago at Headingley.

Alongside Malan's catalyst innings, strong innings from Thompson (40), James Wharton (24) and Adam Lyth (22) got Vikings over the line.

Following the match, Brookes said: "We came up just short but that is the nature of this game.

"Obviously a few injuries at the start of the day (to Kashif Ali and Adam Hose) didn’t help.

"We would have taken that score at the start of the day and it was a really good score on that wicket but credit to Malan and then Thompson at the end to get Yorkshire over the line.

"Having a depleted bowling squad meant it was always going to be difficult."

He concluded: “The message from the changing room is just go and express yourself.

"We are out of this competition now but there is still something to prove.

“That licence to just go and have fun, and go and enjoy, it shows through.

"It is disappointing but that’s cricket."