Hardus Viljoen enhanced his reputation by helping Kent to an innings win over Sussex in their late County promotion push.

The burly Lions paceman was brought in to play the last four matches of the County championship, and made his mark immediately with a eight-wicket haul (5-55 & 3-66) in his first match, an innings defeat of Gloucestershire.

Kent had fond memories of Kagiso Rabada, who stood out in his month-long sting with the eastern county in July, but they could hardly have hoped to have such an efficient stand-in.

In the match against Sussex, Viljoen took 3-70, including David Wiese (4), in the first innings, and then followed that with a much tighter effort which netted him 3-34 off nine, including the openers.

After two matches, Viljoen has taken 14 wickets, conceded 225 runs for an average of 16.07

Elsewhere, Rory Kleinveldt had a relaxing few days as Northampton smashed Glamorgan by 318 runs. He conceded 10 runs from eight overs as Glamorgan struggled to 124 in their reply to Northants’ 269.

He was not needed again as off-spinner Rob Keogh took 9-52 in 18 overs. Kleinveldt was called on for just two overs in Glamorgan’s second innings, when Keogh picked up another four in partnership with left-arm spinner Graeme White, who took 6-44.

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