YORKSHIRE will be allowed to include three of their four Test players in the crucial Roses Championship match which begins at Headingley on Friday.
England are insisting on only Darren Gough being rested with Michael Vaughan, Craig White and Matthew Hoggard all having been given the green light to turn out against Lancashire.
The good news was passed on to Yorkshire's director of coaching, Martyn Moxon, yesterday, in a telephone call from England boss Duncan Fletcher.
"Naturally, we would have liked Darren to be with us as well but it is a big relief that we will have the other three for a game which will have an important bearing on the Championship," said Moxon.
The fact that Yorkshire can call upon White and Hoggard is particularly welcome news with fast bowlers Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Sidebottom both being out injured and further doubts over the fitness of Paul Hutchison.
Hamilton may be fit in time for Friday but Yorkshire do not now need to rush him back and they will want to make sure that he is fit for the Championship match against Somerset starting at Taunton next Wednesday - when the Test quartet will all be with England.
Lancashire are currently second in the Championship table with Yorkshire trailing them by only one point and whoever wins the Roses clash will go top of the pile because leaders Surrey are without a game this week.
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