Yorkshire Cricket by David Warner

The start of Yorkshire's championship match against Leicestershire at Headingley today was delayed by rain which had fallen continuously on the ground for over 36 hours.

But groundsman Andy Fogarty had done such a good job in mopping up the outfield and keeping the square protected that there was every chance of play later in the day if the rain stopped.

Umpires David Constant and Ray Julian said they would carry out an inspection as soon as the weather improved.

Yorkshire were awaiting a late fitness test on Darren Lehmann before knowing whether they could name him in their side.

The Australian left-hander has continued to have treatment on the back muscle spasms he suffered in the AXA League match at Northampton over a fortnight ago, but he has not yet been able to shake off the problem entirely.

Following his brilliant B&H century against Durham last week, Lehmann was rested from the match at Oxford University, but Yorkshire need his batting genius to help get them back on track in the championship after two consecutive defeats sent them tumbling down the table.

They are now in eighth spot, just one place and three points behind Leicestershire, who have just beaten Derbyshire, but both sides are still in touch with the leaders and have a game in hand of the teams above them.

Chris Silverwood is back after missing the 300-run championship debacle at Gloucester because of shin soreness and his return will help lessen the handicap of being without Darren Gough who is with England in the first Test at Edgbaston.

Meanwhile, an International XI will replace Yorkshire in the Costcutter Cup at the Harrogate Cricket Festival next week, Yorkshire having to drop out because of their Benson and Hedges semi-final against Essex on Tuesday.

The International XI, led by Harrogate captain and Zimbabwe Test player Grant Flower, will also include West Indians Jimmy Adams, Philo Wallace and Carl Tuckett, and they now play Scotland on Monday with Northamptonshire meeting Hampshire the following day and the final being scheduled for Wednesday.

Yorkshire (v Leicestershire) from: Vaughan, McGrath, Byas, Lehmann, Wood, White, Blakey, Silverwood, Hamilton, Hutchison, Stemp, Sidebottom, Hoggard.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.