Cricket: Kent hit the front with one game to go

Kent completed a miserable day for Warwickshire by knocking the beaten NatWest finalists off the top of the Axa Life League with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Gloucestershire at Canterbury yesterday.

Kent now have to win their final game, against Yorkshire at Headingley next Sunday, to secure their second Sunday title in three years. Warwickshire must beat Gloucestershire and hope Kent slip up.

Yesterday Kent sped past their target of 137 with more than 11 overs to spare thanks to half-centuries by Trevor Ward and Ed Smith. Ward made 54 including five fours and three sixes, two in one over off Jon Lewis, while Smith finished unbeaten on 54, his second successive half-century in his two games in the competition.

Gloucestershire's Mark Alleyne chose to bat, only to see his side falter from 52 without loss to 135 for 9 in 40 overs. Alleyne top-scored with 33, but only two other batsmen - Tim Hancock with 30 and Bobby Dawson with 27 - made it into double figures.

Phillip DeFreitas was left "hurt and disappointed" yesterday after Derbyshire decided that he would not be captain next season. DeFreitas took over the captaincy when Dean Jones resigned in June and was one of three candidates for the post for 1998. However, Derbyshire announced during their Axa Life League match against Northamptonshire yesterday - which they lost by seven wickets - that "after careful consideration" DeFreitas was no longer in the running.

DeFreitas said: "I am hurt and disappointed by this. I have been notified that due to the team's recent performances, I am no longer suitable to carry on in the role of captain." DeFreitas will captain the side for the rest of the season and Derbyshire will appoint either Dominic Cork or wicketkeeper Karl Krikken for next season.

Chris Cairns hit 14 sixes, a record for limited overs internationals, as New Zealand beat Kenya by 118 runs at the Nairobi Gymkhana club yesterday. The former Nottinghamshire all-rounder hit 157 from just 89 deliveries, New Zealand making 363 for 6 from their 50 overs. His last 105 runs came off just 29 balls.

Devon dominated the first day of the Minor Counties Championship play- off against Bedfordshire at Luton. After making 216 for 5, thanks to half- centuries from Nick Folland and captain Peter Roebuck, Devon reduced Bedfordshire to 119 for 9, Keith Donohue taking 3 for 17. In pursuit of an unprecedented fourth successive title, Devon ended the day 27 without loss in their second innings.