LONDON. Aug 7: Aravlnda de Silva and Trevor Ward both hit centuries as Kent moved up to second place in the English Sunday League with a 55-run victory over Surrey, reports Reuter.

Sri Lankan Test star De Silva (124). a century-maker in Kent's Benson and Hedges Cup final defeat by Lancashire, teamed up with opener Ward (123) in a country record second-wicket stand of 241 to thrill the Canterbury crowd.

De Silva raced to his century with two sixes and 14 fours off just 83 deliveries, while Ward's 102-ball 100 included three sixes and 11 fours.

Kent's splendid final 40-over total of 301 for seven was always too much for Surrey and. despite skipper Adam Holllaoke's defiant 94. Dean Headley’s competitionbest return of six for 42 saw the visitors bowled out for 246.

Wasim Akram was in fine forms as Lancashire moved up to joint third in the table with Warwickshire following a 22-run victory over fellow title hopefuls Sussex at Old Trafford.

Wasim too four for 16 from seven overs, including the wicket of Surrey skipper and England hopeful Alan Wells (17), as the visitors

were bowled out for 144 in reply to Lancashire's 40-over total of 166 for eight.

England skipper Mike Atherton (461 top-scored for the home side, who were grateful for an eighth-wicket stand of 45 between wicketkeeper Warren Hegg and

Gary Yates after they had slipped from 90 for one to 121 for eight.

Warwickshire. In second place at the start of the day. were without a game and that enabled pacesetters Essex to increase their lead at the top to four points with a 36-run success over Hampshire .,at Colchester.

Mark Waugh (5b) and Nasser Hussain (66) continued their excellent form as the home side compiled 235 for five off 39 overs.

Hampshire skipper Mark Nicholas hit a gritty 43. but Mark Ilott (three for 42) celebrated his England recall with three late wickets to settle the issue.

Graeme Hick, desperate to impress the England selectors after retaining his place in the fifth Test squad, did Just that with an unbeaten 113 off just 83 balls as Worcestershire beat

Yorkshire by 33 runs at Scarborough.

Hick, who hit two sixes and 12 boundaries, was given valuable support by skipper Tom. Moody (33) and David Leatherdaler (38). with whom he shared a fourthwicket stand of 114 as the visitors closed on 251 for four.

In-form Australian Michael Bevan hit 101 off 92 deliveries. including one six and 11 fours, but it was not enough to save Yorkshire who succumbed on 218 for nine.