Cricket: Lara adds to Wagh offensive

A BRILLIANT unbeaten century from Brian Lara overshadowed an earlier effort by opener Mark Wagh as Warwickshire put the home side to the sword at Worcester yesterday.

Wagh's 119 set the standard for the day as the visitors cruised to maximum batting points but it was Lara who finished Worcestershire off, rattling an unbeaten 141 as the West Indian captain put on a century stand with Neil Smith (36no) for the sixth wicket as Warwickshire finished the day on 476 for 5.

After collecting his first 10-wicket haul in last week's victory over Glamorgan, all-rounder Gavin Hamilton grabbed 6 for 50 in the first innings for Yorkshire as the home side dismissed Essex for 200 at Scarborough.

Michael Bevan struck a valiant half-century for Sussex against Hampshire at Hove but the visitors were ended the day on top. Nixon McLean and Alex Morris both claimed three wickets as the home side were skittled out for 187, then Hampshire opener John Stephenson, with 59 not out, carried his side to 97 for 3 in 16 overs by the close.

West Indian paceman Franklyn Rose grabbed three wickets to reduce Kent to 89 for 4 on a weather-affected day at Northampton. There was no play at Derby.