ENGLAND cricketers enjoyed a relaxing day in York yesterday in preparation for the Ashes Test starting in Leeds on Thursday.

Andy Caddick, Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher made the trip to Yorkshire early to join Darren Gough at The York Golf Club to take part in an event in his honour, prior to linking up with the England party at Headingley today.

The golf day - 20 teams of four playing a round of stableford - was held as part of Gough's Yorkshire benefit year and the England squadmen, in addition to injured Yorkshire stars Matthew Hoggard and Chris Silverwood, were happy to support the event. A number of former professional footballers, including ex-Everton heroes Ian Snodin, Kevin Sheedy and Mike Newell, were also there.

"The golf club have laid this day on for me," said Gough. "With it being a busy year, we can't have many benefit events so when we have one we try to make it a big one."

The day was organised by York's Nigel Adams, who is on Gough's benefit year committee.

"Golf is great way to relax before a big Test match," added Gough, a 16-handicapper. "On days off everybody loves playing the game."

Trescothick, a 14-handicapper, agreed. "It's nice to have a day out to relax before the pressure of an important Test match," said the Somerset opener.

"Myself and Andy Caddick left at about 8.30am from Somerset especially for this game."

Hoggard, who hopes to be back in action for Yorkshire by Sunday, claimed he wasn't a big golf fanatic but was happy to support his county and country colleague.

"I haven't got an official handicap," he said. "It's maybe about 20-ish - as many as I can get away with. I enjoy the odd round but I don't play it often."

The next event in Gough's benefit year will be a special day-night challenge match between a World XI and a Darren Gough XI, at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium on August 30.

The contest will feature the likes of West Indies legends Courtney Walsh, Curtley Ambrose and possibly Viv Richards, as well as Australian aces Greg Blewett and Darren Lehmann, Zimbabwean Paul Strang, New Zealanders Matthew Sinclair and Steven Fleming and Pakistan great Wasim Akram.

Dickie Bird will come out of retirement to umpire the match, which will be sponsored by Dunnington-based firm Costcutter.

Yesterday's winners with 87 stableford points were the Wundercars team of Andy King (playing off 16), Peter Williams (10), John Sugars (1) and Dave Sugars (28).

Updated: 12:41 Tuesday, August 14, 2001