Cricket: Ambrose cuts down Kent's tail

CURTLY AMBROSE claimed six wickets as Northamptonshire eased to their fifth Championship victory in six games, crushing Kent at Northampton by eight wickets yesterday. The towering West Indian wasted no time mopping up the tail, claiming the last three wickets in eight balls to finish with six for 31, and Northamptonshire coasted to their target of 154.

A rearguard action by Durham's lower order saved them from following on against Hampshire at Portsmouth. Durham were all out for 386, thanks to an entertaining 149 from John Morris, and partnerships between Morris and Phil Bainbridge and then Anderson Cummins and Chris Scott.

Morris was eventually caught by Adrian Ames off Kevan James when the score was on 249. When Scott was given out leg before to Connor, Durham were on 349, still 13 runs short of avoiding the follow-on. But a boundary from John Wood sent Durham past the target of 363. Two overs later, Cummins was caught by Raj Maru at first slip off Norman Cowans for 65. Hampshire began their second innings with a healthy lead of 126 and they ended the day 129 for two, to take their overall advantage to 255.

Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick blasted 140 off just 107 balls but England's second under-19 Test against India ended in a draw at Headingley. England, trailing by 131 starting their second innings, were indebted to Trescothick who punished loose Indian bowling with 20 fours and three sixes. India, resuming at 393 for six this morning, added another 86 with Jitender Singh's marathon innings ending at 172 after 10 hours and 36 minutes at the crease. England reached 294 for six before they declared.