YORKSHIRE handed out first team caps to left-handed batsman Michael Lumb and pace bowler Steve Kirby in a surprise ceremony during the interval of their floodlit National League match with Warwickshire Bears at Headingley last night.

Lumb, 23, the son of former Yorkshire opener, Richard, was born in Johannesburg and made his first team debut in May, 2000.

He has been in excellent form this season and has so far hit 911 first class runs for Yorkshire with two centuries and six half centuries. His invitation from Rodney Marsh to join the England Academy this winter is an indication of his potential.

Kirby, 25, has put himself on the fringe of an England call-up with 38 Championship wickets in his last five matches and he is easily Yorkshire's leading bowler this season with 46 dismissals at 22.65 runs apiece.

Born in Bury, Kirby came to Yorkshire in sensational circumstances after being released by Leicestershire where he played for the second team.

When Matthew Hoggard was called up by England in the middle of a Yorkshire match against Kent at Headingley in June 2001, Kirby was signed up to take his place and he answered the SOS by taking seven for 50 in the second innings and a further 40 wickets during the remainder of the season.

Updated: 11:06 Thursday, August 07, 2003