A breathtaking 172 from Darren Lehmann delighted the fans and almost single-handedly got Yorkshire out of deep trouble on the first day of their Championship match against Kent at Headingley Carnegie Stad-ium yesterday.

Thanks to the Australian's efforts, Yorkshire reached 310 after being 136 for six at one stage and they then quickly dismissed opener David Fulton for Kent to close on 18 for one in ten overs.

Lehmann's century was his fifth in the Championship this season and his 25th for Yorkshire overall and it ranked as one of finest he has made.

He confirmed last night that this will definitely be his last summer on a full-time basis with Yorkshire and he obviously intends going out in a blaze of glory.

"I have greatly enjoyed my time with Yorkshire but everything has to come to an end," said Lehmann. "I would, however, consider returning as a stand-in overseas player if that situation should arise."

While everyone else struggled to settle, Lehmann played with consumate ease.

He added a crucial 66 for the last wicket with Deon Kruis, the pair of them bringing Yorkshire two further unexpected batting bonus points, and when he was finally caught at short mid-wicket by Fulton off left-arm spinner Min Patel he had faced 189 balls and smacked 19 fours and four sixes.

It was the second time in consecutive innings that Lehmann had exacted a heavy toll of Kent's bowling because he plundered 193 at Canterbury earlier in the season.

Craig White won the toss and decided to bat first but again Yorkshire's openers failed to make an impact.

The best of the early batting came from Anthony McGrath, who tried to dominate the bowling from the start and he had moved on to 41 shortly before lunch when he drove loosely at Dwayne Bravo and Martin van Jaarsveld held a stinging catch at first slip.

It wasn't long before Lehmann assumed control though, reaching a faultless century soon after tea off 121 balls with ten fours and a six.

A total of 310 was far better than Yorkshire could have hoped for at one stage and the day ended on another happy note when McGrath took a tumbling catch in the slips to give Kruis the valuable wicket of Fulton.