YORKSHIRE'S last chance of a 'real' match before Saturday's C&G Trophy semi-final with Gloucestershire at Bristol disappeared in a thick drizzle at Riverside on Sunday when their totesport League game against Durham came to a watery end after only nine overs.

During the short time that play was possible, Yorkshire made a promising 40 without loss and captain Craig White marked his return from injury with a fine 25 off 26 deliveries with four boundaries.

But it was a completely idle afternoon for Australian all-rounder, Ian Harvey, and strike bowler, Matthew Hoggard, who were both eager for action.

Harvey was back in Yorkshire's side for the first time in two months after recovering from a hamstring tear while Hoggard had regained his place in the side following the jarring of a knee which had kept him out for a week.

Harvey desperately needs some meaningful cricket ahead of his return to Bristol for the battle with his former club and Hoggard is anxious to prove he is fully fit for the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's on Thursday week.

Hoggard now needs to come through the MCC game against the West Indies at Arundel starting on Tuesday without any ill effect if he is to be sure of playing at Bristol and in the Test.

The two points Yorkshire received from yesterday's abandonment - the first in two years in the competition - kept them in second place in the table and on course for promotion but they have now played at least one game more than their main rivals.

Winning the toss for Yorkshire, White was soon dominating his opening stand with Matthew Wood and his first boundary came in the third over when he lofted Neil Killeen over mid-on.

Another drive brought White a further boundary off Killeen which he sandwiched in between fours at the expense of Graham Onions with two sweetly timed cover drives.

Wood was quite happy to keep one end glued up while White was going so well and he had made just eight from 28 deliveries when the rain came.

Director of cricket, David Byas, said: "It is very disappointing to be hit so badly by the weather again, particularly at a time when several of our players need time in the middle after injuries."

Yorkshire are looking for a big improvement in the climate for Wednesday when they take on Lancashire in the Twenty-20 Roses clash at Headingley and then at Riverside again on the following day where their game with Durham is already a sell-out.

Updated: 09:30 Monday, July 12, 2004