Darren Lehmann proved at Headingley yesterday that he is still as good a batsman as ever, despite having been ignored by Australia for this summer's triangular tournament and the Ashes series which follows.

The dashing left-hander, one of Wisden's current Five Cricketers of the Year, hit an exquisite century to send Yorkshire cantering to a five wicket win over Derbyshire in the first of their Benson and Hedges Cup games.

Lehmann was totally in command while making 103 out of 203 for five and he was only out attempting to slam the winning runs after dashing to his century with two consecutive fours and a six off Paul Aldred.

"I was disappointed to be overlooked by Australia but I love playing for Yorkshire and am looking forward to being with them for the whole of the season," said Lehmann after picking up the man-of-the-match gold award.

"It is always a pleasure batting in front of Yorkshire crowds because they are appreciative and know their cricket."

Although Yorkshire won easily in the end and were home and dry with 46 balls to spare, victory was far from certain when they stood on 36 for three with Derbyshire skipper Dominic Cork having taken two wickets and causing all sorts of problems.

But then Lehmann was joined by the uncapped Gary Fellows and the pair transformed the situation with a splendid stand of 118 in 25 overs, Yorkshire's highest for the fourth wicket in Benson and Hedges Cup cricket.

Fellows was not overshadowed by his more illustrious partner and he had reached his best score in the competition of 38 when he cut Trevor Smith to Michael Di Venuto at deep cover.

Lehmann, on 68 at the fall of the wicket, then took complete charge while Richard Blakey watched on from the other end. He helped himself to three fours in an over off Yorkshire-born left-armer Richard Illingworth, who has joined Derbyshire from Worcestershire, and wasted no time in racing through the 90s by lashing two fours and a pulled six off seamer Paul Aldred.

Lehmann's century came off 113 balls with 13 fours and a six but in trying to hit the next delivery through the legside he gave a catch to Luke Sutton at mid-wicket.

Batting had looked so much more difficult earlier on as Michael Vaughan was yorked in Cork's first over and Gavin Hamilton nudged the England all-rounder into the slips before Anthony McGrath was also out off an edge to leave Yorkshire on 36 for three.

Put in to bat, Derbyshire began in solid fashion but with 28 on the board there was a dream start to debutant seamer Tom Baker's career with a wicket off his first legitimate ball.

The 19-year-old from Bradford League club, Spen Victoria, began with a wide but his next ball was a swinging full toss which pinned Steve Stubbings lbw.

The experienced Rob Bailey, aided by Mathew Dowman, cashed in on some careless bowling by putting on 64 in 17 overs but both batsmen got out when appearing well set.

At 158 for three Derbyshire were in a healthy position but they crumbled quickly as five wickets toppled for 17 runs in the space of 21 balls and they had to settle for a final total of 200 for eight.

Hamilton captured three for 56, including the wickets of Cork and Illingworth with consecutive balls, and there was a further success for Baker with the dismissal of Karl Krikken.

Updated: 12:12 Tuesday, May 01, 2001