Aussie friends and South Australia team-mates Darren Lehmann and Greg Blewett found themselves keen rivals today in Yorkshire's Benson and Hedges Cup clash with Nottinghamshire at Headingley.

Lehmann, in blistering form at the moment, recommended Blewett to Yorkshire when he himself was unavailable because of the World Cup in 1999.

But, surprisingly, Blewett's season with Yorkshire turned out to be a disaster and both parties were relieved when he left early to prepare for an Australian tour.

Blewett joined Notts at the start of this season and things could not have gone more differently for him. On his debut against Durham in the Championship last week his innings of 133 earned him rave notices and in Monday's B&H match against Leicestershire his unbeaten 59 helped Notts win by eight wickets.

It took Blewett six Championship innings with Yorkshire to make as many runs as he has already managed in one knock for Notts.

The two sides went into today's match knowing that victory would preserve their 100 per cent winning record in the BH competition this year and greatly enhance their chances of advancing to the quarter final stages.

Notts also included another former Yorkshire player in Pudsey-born all-rounder Gareth Clough who is also doing well after being put on a first team contract.

The 22-year-old made a shock debut for Yorkshire against Glamorgan at Cardiff in 1998 when he travelled to Sophia Gardens as 12th man but then played because Yorkshire wanted to pack their side with every available seamer.

Yorkshire have made the perfect start to the season with the B&H crushing of Derbyshire following on the heels of the four-wicket Championship win over Kent at Canterbury last week.

But skipper David Byas warned that Yorkshire must be on top of their form to beat Notts whom he considers to be a much improved outfit this season.

"They did very well to beat Leicestershire in the first round and they can be a very dangerous side indeed," he said.

"Although we were comfortable winners against Derbyshire one or two things were not right, including the bowling which was often not accurate enough.

"Both Chris Silverwood and Gavin Hamilton could have bowled a better line but I think they were probably just off form."

Yorkshire are still awaiting the results of a back scan on England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard who injured himself on the opening day of the Kent match.

Yorkshire: Vaughan, Hamilton, McGrath, Lehmann, Byas, Fellows, Lumb, Blakey, Silverwood, Sidebottom, Baker.

Notts from: Bicknell, Welton, Blewett, Afzaal, Johnson, Pietersen, Read, Franks, Logan, Clough, Smith, Malik, Hewison.

Updated: 12:18 Wednesday, May 02, 2001