Cricket: Laney makes Kent work

Jason Laney reached 1,000 runs for the season for the first time as Hampshire made Kent, who have aspirations on the Championship title, work for wickets at Canterbury yesterday. The 23-year-old batsman achieved the landmark when he made 78 out of his 105, his fourth century of the season. Hampshire finished on 249 for 5, still 47 short of the follow on, replying to Kent's total of 445, in which Nigel Llong scored a career- best 130.

Robin Smith spoiled his 33rd birthday celebrations by being out to the last ball of the day, bowled for 60 by Mark Ealham, who took 3 for 49. Smith dominated a fifth-wicket stand of 55 with Laney, although Kent's cause was not helped by four dropped catches. However, they stuck to their task and Dean Headley bowled well after tea with one for 18 off 10 overs.

An explosive burst by Darren Gough carried Yorkshire to a two-day Championship victory by an innings and six runs over Nottinghamshire at Scarborough. In an inspired spell of 21 balls, the England seamer claimed 4 for 6 as the visitors, comfortable on 83 for 2, lost five wickets for 14 and their last eight for 34.

Gough finished with a season's best 6 for 36, and his match return of 9 for 62 was his best since 1993, when he claimed 10 Somerset wickets for 96 at Taunton. Once Gough hit his most effective rhythm in his second spell he tore through the Nottinghamshire order, taking all his wickets for 18 runs in 9.3 overs.

Only the openers Paul Pollard and Tim Robinson, who for the second time shared in the highest stand of the innings, suggested any prolonged resistance as Nottinghamshire faced a deficit of 123. Their partnership produced 53, but after Robinson was out lbw to Craig White the Midlanders lost heart.

Earlier, half-centuries by David Byas and Anthony McGrath enabled Yorkshire to control the contest despite Chris Cairns returning his best figures of the season of 6 for 110.