Cricket: Atherton proves a point

MIKE ATHERTON, deemed unable to play one-day cricket, at least at international level, gave the lie to that theory with a century as Lancashire crushed Derbyshire by 161 runs in the Sunday League yesterday, writes Richard Wetherell. He made 105 off 153 balls in Lancashire's 234 for 6. Phillip DeFreitas then removed Derbyshire's first three batsmen for only nine as they subsided to 73 all out.

With their eight-run win over Yorkshire, Kent remain on top, four points clear of Glamorgan, Northamptonshire and Sussex. Trevor Ward hit 49 off 52 balls in Kent's 209 and Yorkshire were always behind the run-rate.

The best all-round performance of the day came from Winston Benjamin. After a rapid 55 he took four Gloucestershire wickets to inspire Leicestershire's 31-run victory.