Yorkshire director of cricket David Byas is hoping that England will allow Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard to be available for the start of the county programme in mid-April.

Yorkshire have two Frizzell Championship matches and two totesport League games during April and Byas said it would be a big bonus if Vaughan and Hoggard could play in these important fixtures and help them get off to a flying start.

"England return from their long tour of South Africa in a few days' time and all their players will be taking a well-earned break," said Byas.

"But they will then be keen to get into top shape for the new season in mid-April and I am waiting to see if England will let Vaughan and Hoggard play for us."

The first four Yorkshire games are played between April 13-24 and the team then have a week without any cricket.

Soon after that, England's players will be joining up again ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh which starts on May 26.

Those Yorkshire players not currently playing abroad are now practising indoors at Headingley on Wednesdays and Saturdays before reporting to Headingley full time on March 1.

"So far, the preparations are going very well and I am particularly pleased that captain, Craig White, and Chris Silverwood, have both recovered well from last season's injuries and are working hard in the nets and taking a full part in training," said Byas.

Michael Lumb, Joe Sayers, Andrew Gale and Chris Gilbert will all be returning from overseas engagements over the next week or so and Byas is expecting Yorkshire's Australian duo of Phil Jaques and Ian Harvey to be back by the first week of April.

"Both of them are looking forward to re-joining Yorkshire and Ian is particularly keen to make amends for his disappointing season last summer," said Byas.

Harvey has not played any one-day international cricket for Australia this winter and he has been enjoying mixed fortunes with his State side, Victoria.

His bowling has been more successful than his batting.

Jaques, the only Yorkshire batsman to top 1,000 runs last season, has lashed a couple of double centuries for New South Wales, making 217 with 30 fours and a six against Victoria and an unbeaten 240 with 33 fours in a recent outing against Queensland.

Updated: 11:01 Tuesday, February 08, 2005