Cricket: Kent keep on course

Round-up

Ed Smith hit a Sunday best 72 not out against Hampshire at Portsmouth to help maintain Kent's challenge for the title.

Smith, who hit his maiden century in the Championship match between the sides, hit five fours from 101 balls as Kent won by six wickets with more than two overs to spare.

Hampshire chose to bat first and were powerfully placed at 162 for 5 after Robin Smith had scored 35 and opener Jason Laney a rapid 29. But the Hampshire tail collapsed against Matthew Fleming, with the last five wickets going down for the addition of only 13 runs.

Kent now need to win their two remaining matches and the title is theirs for the second time in three years.