WORCESTERSHIRE’S bowling attack was put to the sword in a 71-run defeat in the opening match of their pre-season tour.

Ben Duckett cracked 137 as The North amassed 416-6 in a 50-over match at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Ed Barnard picked up three wickets and was one of four batsmen to score a half-century for the County.

Opener Daryl Mitchell blazed 89 off 73 balls with two sixes and 12 fours.

It was invaluable practice for the County in their first action of the winter against strong opponents.

Worcestershire batsman Joe Clarke made 27 batting at number five against his County team-mates before he fell to Barnard.

But Duckett and Keaton Jennings (92) were the main contributors for The North who used the match as a warm-up ahead of a three game series with The South.

Duckett struck three sixes and 22 fours in his 92-ball knock and shared in an opening stand of 132 with Sam Hain (47).

Jennings, who hit five sixes and seven fours, helped Duckett add 81 for the second wicket and 96 for the third with Liam Livingstone (45) before he was another Barnard victim.

Barnard finished with 3-62 from nine overs and Charlie Morris claimed two wickets for 83 in his 10 overs, breaking the opening stand by dismissing Hain and also accounting for Livingstone.

In reply, Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira put on 128 in 20 overs. Mitchell was the dominant partner, while D’Oliveira was fourth out at 185, having made 65 off 70 deliveries with two sixes and three fours.

Then new skipper Joe Leach - 53 off 35 balls - and Barnard - 51 off 36 - added 106 for the seventh wicket as the County were bowled out for 345 in 48 overs.