Matthew Wood was handed his first team cap from skipper David Byas at Scarborough yesterday immediately after Yorkshire had received the Championship Trophy during the lunch interval on the first day of their final match of the season against Essex.

Rain set in during the presentation ceremony and no further play was possible, Essex having reached 99 for three after winning the toss.

Wood's cap was just reward for a magnificent season in which the Huddersfield-born batsman has rediscovered his best form with 1,052 Championship runs at an average of 52.6.

It was the second piece of good news for Wood in the past couple of weeks and followed on the heels of his invitation to be among the first intake at England's new Academy in Adelaide this winter

A delighted Wood said after receiving his cap: "I have just told the lads that there was a time a year or so ago when I doubted whether I would pull it off and I felt my career was in the balance.

"I could not have managed it without their support and I have thanked them for sticking by me.

"To be awarded my cap on the same day that we were handed the Championship Trophy is the stuff that dreams are made of

"When I came back from playing club cricket in Australia last winter I decided that I was going to do things my way - and that I would go down my way if necessary

"I have tried to express myself at the crease by being more positive and it has paid off.

"I have had no fear of failure this year and I have returned to my way of thinking in my debut season of 1998 by putting more steel into my game and more shots into my locker."

Fast bowling sensation Steven Kirby, who has taken 44 wickets in just nine Championship matches, received his second team cap and there was a similar award for opening batsman Chris Taylor from Bradford League club Farsley who is currently playing in his third first team game.

Flags flew at half mast at North Marine Road yesterday as a mark of respect for events in America and the teams lined up on the field for a minute's silence before the start.

Former Yorkshire all-rounder Paul Grayson was soon bowled off-stump during a demanding opening spell from Matthew Hoggard but Kirby was pretty wild at the other end and sent down eight no-balls before being replaced.

Darren Robinson and the left-handed Richard Clinton staged a recovery for Essex with a second wicket stand of 61 in 20 overs but when Dawson switched to the pavilion end he dismissed Robinson for 27 with his second delivery, the batsman aiming to sweep and giving a catch off bat and pad to Taylor at silly point.

Essex debutant Mark Pettini did not last long, pushing forward at Dawson to give Byas a slip catch, but Clinton and captain Ronnie Irani held firm until lunch and the premature end to the day

Essex had two other debutants in Zoheb Sharif and 32-year-old paceman Joe Grant who plays for new Hunters the Estate Agent York Senior League champions Dunnington.

Updated: 11:59 Thursday, September 13, 2001