FAST bowler Steve Kirby, now fully fit again after an ankle injury, will play for Yorkshire in the one-day Roses friendly at Old Trafford tomorrow.

It will be the Tykes' last full-scale practice match before they open their Championship season against Essex at Headingley in a week's time.

Kirby replaces Scarborough's Chris Gilbert in the squad and his inclusion against Lancashire will be Yorkshire's only change from the side which yesterday thrashed Bradford-Leeds Universities' Centre of Excellence by 481 runs at Headingley.

Kirby was pulled out of MCC's curtain-raiser with county champions Sussex at Lord's after still feeling the effects of a blow on the ankle from Richard Blakey while practising in the indoor school. But his withdrawal was more of a precautionary measure by Yorkshire who wanted to take no unnecessary risks with their leading paceman who has had a busy winter of cricket.

Steven Guy's display in the easy win yesterday justified Yorkshire's decision to play him ahead of Richard Blakey.

But Guy is taking no notice of any such guarantee.

"I have been told nothing myself and I am taking nothing for granted," he said. "I really want to be in that team for the opener against Essex but until the side is announced I will consider myself to be still fighting for a place.

"I have worked on some technical details with my batting this winter and I am delighted how I played against Bradford-Leeds but I need to make absolutely sure that I retain my form."

Yorkshire (v Lancashire) from: Wood, White, Taylor, Gale, Lumb, Craven, Guy, Dawson, Bresnan, Silverwood, Kirby, Blain.

Updated: 10:15 Tuesday, April 13, 2004