YORKSHIRE'S 19-year-old seam bowler Nick Thornicroft, from Sheriff Hutton, has won a place in the 12-man squad for tomorrow's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy second round match against Minor Counties' side Dorset at Bournemouth.

It is the first time Thornicroft has been called up by Yorkshire this season and if he plays it will be his debut in the C&G competition.

Thornicroft comes in because England have barred Matthew Hoggard and his Test colleagues from taking part in this round of matches.

The winter signing of paceman, John Blain, from Northamptonshire, meant there was no immediate place in the side at the start of this season for Thornicroft who thoroughly deserves an early chance, particularly as so many of Yorkshire's other seamers have so far failed to impress.

Thornicroft was only given one competitive game last summer and that was against Gloucestershire at Headingley on the final day of the National League season when he bowled superbly to return outstanding figures of 5-42 from his nine overs.

Yorkshire from: Wood, White, Lumb, Lehmann, Taylor, Craven, Bresnan, Dawson, Guy, Silverwood, Blain, Thornicroft.

Dorset from: Treagus, Thurgood, Deakin, Cowley, Lawes, Lamb, Park, Keates, Kidner, Ford, Worrad, Brookes.

Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann has admitted he 'would be lying' if he said he was unconcerned about the prospect of travelling to Zimbabwe, writes Simon Stone, PA Sport.

Lehmann is part of the Australian squad that will play two Tests and three one-day internationals in the troubled African country later this month.

Spinner Stuart MacGill has already pulled out on moral grounds and there is growing speculation that some England players will follow suit should the England and Wales Cricket Board give the green light to their tour later this year.

Lehmann, revealed he fully supported MacGill's decision.

And, while the 34-year-old claimed not to be a political animal, he admitted the prospect of heading to a country condemned for the human rights abuses of despotic president Robert Mugabe was not one he was entirely happy about.

"We are not a political side but I would be lying if I said there wasn't a concern about the whole scenario," said the South Australian.

"But I fully support and understand the decision Stuart MacGill has made. It is his choice and no-one has any problems with it."

Updated: 11:09 Tuesday, May 04, 2004