Australian left-hander Phil Jaques yesterday became the only batsman in Yorkshire's history to score a double century both for and against the club when he took his epic innings against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl on to 243.

And director of cricket David Byas later gave a strong hint that he would like to sign Jaques for the whole of next season if Darren Lehmann is, as expected, in his country's party for the Ashes tour.

"We already knew Phil was a good player when we signed him as a temporary replacement this season and the quality of his batting has come as no real surprise," said Byas.

"But the great thing about him is his consistency and the sheer volume of runs he has made," he added.

"Just like Lehmann, he has no airs and graces and he fitted into our dressing-room straight away. He has a passion and a hunger for runs.

"If Lehmann is in Australia's squad to tour England next summer then I would definitely be looking to sign Jaques because he is the perfect player with his strong work ethic and disciplined attitude. He has already made us a better team and done a terrific job."

Yorkshire first became acquainted with Jaques last summer when he plundered 222 against them for Northamptonshire at Wantage Road but he said he believed yesterday's innings was the best he had ever played.

"In view of the very difficult conditions on the first two days I was very pleased to be able to bat for as long as I did," said Jaques.

"The ball was dancing around a lot in the wind and there was movement off the seam but the other batsmen also managed to stay in for a long while and play their own roles.

"My double century against Yorkshire last season was my previous best score but the pitch at Northampton is much better to bat on that the one at the Rose Bowl and this innings presented me with the greater challenge."

Jaques' Sheffield-born father, Stuart, is on holiday in England at the moment and has seen him play in a couple of games for Yorkshire but he was not at the Hampshire match.

"Unfortunately, he decided to go and watch England play New Zealand at Old Trafford instead and not a ball was bowled, so he chose the wrong match," said Jaques with a smile.

Jaques was on 193 when Yorkshire resumed in the morning and the first ball he received brought him the boundary that gave him the biggest innings ever played on the ground, beating Murray Goodwin's 196 for Sussex in 1991.

Then another boundary off the last ball of the same over from Chris Tremlett also went for four to take him to his double century off 253 deliveries with 25 fours and six sixes.

He was finally bowled swinging at Alan Mullally, his 243 containing 33 fours and six sixes and his 298-ball innings lasted for 411 minutes during which time he never gave a chance.

Yorkshire then made a botched attempt to get to 400 and maximum batting points, losing their last seven wickets for 50 runs. Mullally claimed 6- 68, his third wicket bringing him his 700th first-class dismissal.

Accurate bowling by Yorkshire throughout the afternoon and evening brought its reward as wickets fell at regular intervals with Matthew Hoggard, Steve Kirby and Vic Craven picking up two apiece.

Only John Crawley survived for any length of time in making 53 before falling lbw to Craven.

Hampshire were 202-6 at the close, 44 runs away from avoiding the follow-on but with rain forecast for today the game appears to be heading for a draw.

Updated: 09:52 Saturday, June 26, 2004