Yorkshire's Byas bias

A CAPTAIN'S innings from David Byas helped Yorkshire to a six- wicket County Championship win over Hampshire at Basingstoke yesterday. Yorkshire were left chasing a target of 139 after Matthew Hoggard had mopped up the last two Hampshire wickets with just 13 runs added to their overnight score of 111 for 8.

The White Rose county then suffered a disastrous start as they set about their task, losing the openers Greg Blewett and Michael Vaughan for four apiece and 13 on the board. Byas, however, underpinned Yorkshire's charge with a sparkling 95, before falling leg before to the former Tyke Peter Hartley, who finished with match figures of 11 for 113. Once he departed, Yorkshire were two runs adrift of victory, which left Anthony McGrath to strike the winning runs.

n The Hampshire fast bowler Cardigan Connor, 38, has announced his retirement from senior cricket after failing to recover from a knee injury.