GAVIN Hamilton was warmly praised by coach Kevin Sharp for his bowling stint in bitterly cold conditions in Yorkshire's two-day friendly match against Durham which ended in a draw at Riverside.

Yorkshire are keeping an anxious eye on Hamilton's pre-season form as he attempts to show that he has shed the psychological problems which prevented him from bowling last summer and kept him out of the side.

Although Hamilton conceded 68 runs from nine overs, Sharp was more than happy with the way he had performed.

"The important thing is that Gavin kept the ball in the right areas and I am really pleased for him," said Sharp. "Obviously, he is not yet quite the bowler he used to be but he is sorting out one or technical points with Steve Oldham and I am sure he will be all right soon."

The news that Craig White could be missing for three months following his rib operation means that Yorkshire require Hamilton's all-round services more than ever and his form is being closely monitored.

Durham's batsmen could not match Yorkshire's dazzling form of the previous day when they amassed 472-7 but they still managed 360-8 on a very slow batting track, former Kent and Leicestershire batsman Vince Wells leading the way with 121.

Chris Silverwood was the pick of the bowlers with 2-30 off 13 accurate overs and there were a couple of wickets, also, for paceman David Stiff and England off-spinner Richard Dawson.

Updated: 12:05 Friday, April 11, 2003