Australian captain Steve Waugh served notice of what England might be in for this winter with his first century for Kent.

Having endured a lean spell since arriving for the final stages of the season, with a previous Championship best of 37, Waugh helped himself to an unbeaten 136.

It was a happy return to Headingley, where he has twice scored Test hundreds during previous Ashes series.

Waugh's chief allies were Min Patel (52), who shared a stand of 101, and James Tredwell (37 not out).

Kent began the game with a 12.5 point lead over third placed Leicestershire and Waugh's innings was an important step in their bid to secure the runners-up spot behind new champions Surrey.

The visitors were put in by Yorkshire skipper Richard Blakey and his decision brought early reward when Steve Kirby bowled Rob Key for one.

David Fulton followed for 16 with the score on 49 when he edged Anthony McGrath to Blakey, but Waugh was in a determined mood as he joined Ed Smith in the middle.

They put on 56 before Smith was lbw to Ryan Sidebottom for 67 after hitting 11 fours, and Kent suffered a further setback when Paul Nixon was run out soon afterwards.

Left-armer Sidebottom then removed Mark Ealham for six to leave Kent on 132 for five but Patel responded to the situation with aggression, while Waugh accumulated methodically at the other end.

Patel collected nine boundaries in his bright and breezy 67-ball innings, but he was then lbw to off-spinner Richard Dawson,who will be touring Australia with England this winter.

Waugh's century arrived in four hours and 10 minutes off 194 balls and he had hit a six and 16 fours when bad light ended play.

Tredwell again showed his potential as they added 91 in an unbroken seventh wicket partnership.

Yorkshire: S A Richardson, M T G Elliott, C White, A McGrath, M J Lumb, G M Fellows, R J Blakey (Capt, Wkt), R K J Dawson, R J Sidebottom, S P Kirby, N D Thornicroft.

Kent: D P Fulton (Capt), R W T Key, E T Smith, S R Waugh, P A Nixon (Wkt), M A Ealham, M M Patel, D D Masters, A Khan, M J Saggers, J C Tredwell.