London: Darren Gough staked a claim for his old England place on Sunday as Yorkshire crushed Northamptonshire by an innings with a day to spare in the County Championship. The England bowler had been sidelined since July with a knee injury, but finished with match figures of 6 for 81 as Yorkshire stormed to an innings and 343 run win at Headingley. "It was a big test for me and I'm really pleased with the way it went." Gough said on his return. "That's as well as I can bowl." And the pace bowler hinted at an England comeback. "If I keep bowling like that, I'm sure they'll pick me," Gough added. Elsewhere, Ian Ward hit an unbeaten 40 off as many balls as champion Surrey finished on 61-2 in its second innings after being asked to follow on by Lancashire at the Oval. It had been dismissed for 280 in its first innings in reply to Lancashire's massive 599 all out. At Derby, Matthew Maynard struck 142 for Glamorgan, helping the Welsh side to 352 all out against Derbyshire. The home side followed its first innings total of 420 with 189-5 at the close. England spinner Ashley Giles played a captain's innings of 94 before taking the vital wicket of Usman Afzaal as Warwickshire kept its hopes alive of beating Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. Nottinghamshire was 122-3 at stumps chasing a target of 264 to win. At New Road, South African Nic Pothas hit 146 as Hampshire reached 347 all out against Worcestershire who in turn reached 187-5 at the close. Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Gough back with a bang, Wasim opens Hampshire account

Tags: cricket, english county, darren gough, yorkshire, northamptonshire, county championship, ian ward, surrey, lancashire, matthew maynard, glamorgan, derbyshire, ashley giles, usman afzaal, warwickshire.