New boy Kirby makes mark for Yorkshire

Yorkshire made huge inroads in their bid to cement top place in the County Championship First Division against second-placed Kent at Headingley yesterday.

Resuming on 297 for 6, Richard Blakey made 59 from 86 balls before he was stumped as the home side racked up 413 in response to Kent's 212.

Dave Fulton and Robert Key on 93 for the first wicket but their newly-signed fast bowler Steve Kirby struck twice in quick succession to trap Fulton lbw for 42 and bowl Key for 38.

Matthew Walker lasted 46 balls before being caught by Blakey off Craig White on 19 as the visitors threatened to capitulate. But Ed Smith steadied the ship with 42 until he fell to Gary Fellows and Kent were 174 for 5, 27 behind, when rain stopped play.

In the Second Division, Nottinghamshire were facing defeat to Gloucestershire after being bowled out for 267 in response to the visitors' 473 at Trent Bridge.

Gloucestershire showed no mercy in their second innings and declared on 265 for 5 and the home side made a disastrous start to their second innings with Guy Welton lasting three balls before being caught by Jeremy Snape off James Averis for a duck. Nottinghamshire finished the day on 61 for 3.

Durham also face an uphill struggle to avoid defeat after being bowled out for 260 in reply to Derbyshire's 319 at Derby.

Michael Di Venuto helped Derbyshire to 214 for 6 in their second innings and Karl Krikken (52no) maintained the home side's march at close.

At Horsham, Sussex moved to 373 having resumed on 242 for 4 ­ a significant improvement on their first-innings 137.

Worcestershire, who scored 183 in their first innings, made steady if unspectacular progress, ending the day on 173 for 3 with Vikram Solanki and David Leatherdale unbeaten on 29 and 38 respectively, leaving them with 153 more required for victory.

In Bulawayo, the off-spinner Harbhajan Singh proved his ability with the bat by scoring his maiden Test half-century as India posted a first-innings lead of 145 over Zimbabwe. In reply, the home side slumped to 79 for 3 at stumps on the second day of the first Test.