Dean Headley strengthened his bid for a place in the England Test squad to face South Africa with a six-wicket haul at Canterbury on Saturday.

The Kent paceman inspired his county to victory by an innings and 27 runs over Durham inside three days for their second win of the County Championship campaign.

The north-east county were 30 for one overnight, trailing by 236 runs, but Headley made up for being left out of the Texaco Trophy series against the Springboks as he collected three wickets in 13 deliveries at one stage.

Meanwhile, another England player pushing hard is Mark Ramprakash, whose 108 along with Justin Langer's 118, ensured there was also a draw at Uxbridge yesterday where Middlesex ground there way to safety against Worcester-shire.

The duo shared in a second-wicket stand of 125 as the placid pitch proved the game's ultimate winner, with Mike Gatting, the former England captain (83no) then combining with Ramprakash - adding to his 122 in the first innings - for a third-wicket stand of 112.