YORKSHIRE suffered a hammer blow on the first day of their new season today when Australian left-hander Matthew Elliott had to be omitted from the County Championship duel against Northamptonshire at Headingley because of a knee strain.

But the good news for Yorkshire as they embark on their mission to achieve instant promotion to the First Division is that Darren Gough is back in the side and raring to go after his long-standing knee problems.

Elliott, who only arrived in England last week, suffered a slight strain behind his right knee a few days ago, but was only ruled out after undergoing a fitness test yesterday.

"It is very sad because we desperately wanted to start off with our strongest possible side but in the end we decided that playing Elliott could do him more harm than good," said Yorkshire's director of cricket Geoff Cope.

"After this game, we only have one day's competitive cricket until April 30 when we play Hampshire at the Rose Bowl in the Championship and the feeling is that if Elliott rests up now he should be fully fit by then.

"Under the club's new policy, Elliott is now entirely under the care of physiotherapist Scott McAllister and he will tell us when he believes that Elliott is ready to play again."

Already without Craig White, who is recovering from a rib operation, Yorkshire must be considerably weakened by the loss of Elliott, who blazed the trail with 487 championship runs in five matches when he joined the county late last season.

But with all of their other batsmen in excellent form, plus the rare luxury of having their England fast bowling pair of Gough and Matthew Hoggard in the side together, Yorkshire should still have enough power to overcome Northants.

The last time that Gough played in a full championship match for Yorkshire was in the Roses clash at Headingley in late July, 2001, which was also the last time that Yorkshire won a home game in the competition at their headquarters.

Elliott's misfortune paves the way for both Chris Taylor and Scott Richardson to be included in the squad of 13 but whether both play could hinge on whether new captain Anthony McGrath decided to bring in England off-spinner Richard Dawson or go with an all-seam attack.

With so many players pushing hard for places in the first match, there was disappointment for Gavin Hamilton and Steve Kirby who will both have to wait a while for their chance.

Updated: 10:59 Friday, April 18, 2003