YORKSHIRE Phoenix turned in another shocking performance against Leicestershire Foxes at Headingley yesterday in what has turned into one of their bleakest ever seasons in one-day league cricket.

Chasing Leicestershire's competitive score of 253-8, Yorkshire's challenge was soon in tatters as they slumped to 11-3 inside the first three overs and they were bowled out for 120 to lose by 133 runs with 57 balls remaining.

Yorkshire were captained by Richard Dawson in the absence of Craig White, who did not play because of a sore knee, and they were also without Phil Jaques because of a stiff back. It would have been Jaques' farewell appearance before joining up with Australia 'A' today on their tour of Pakistan.

Ajmal Shahzad was denied a seasonal debut because of injury but despite all these setbacks, Yorkshire had few excuses for such a lacklustre showing.

Put in to bat, Leicestershire were given a scorching start by Darren Robinson and Darren Maddy. They rattled up 81 by the 13th over and the breakthrough for Yorkshire came when Robinson was slow to respond to his partner's call for a single and was beaten by Richard Pyrah's direct hit on the stumps.

Maddy hurried on to 54 from 53 balls before Dawson deceived him into giving a catch to Anthony McGrath at short mid-wicket and it became 118-3 when captain HD Ackerman was caught behind off Dawson.

Dinesh Mongia hit a stylish 39 and was then bowled by McGrath while Aftab Habib made an unbeaten 65 with four fours and a six.

Yorkshire needed a good start but the slide started in the first over from Ottis Gibson with Matthew Wood edging his first ball to wicketkeeper, Paul Nixon.

Michael Lumb was lbw to a swinging delivery from Charl Willoughby and when Ian Harvey was out in similar style to Gibson, Yorkshire were under the cosh.

Pyrah was caught mis-hooking at Gibson and half the side were out for 53 when Joe Sayers was run-out.

McGrath battled away for 20 overs in which he made 21 but he tried to hit spinner Claude Henderson over the top and was caught on the rope.

Only Simon Guy showed any real spirit and he achieved his career-best score for the second time in consecutive innings. He pulled Gibson for six into the crowd and straight drove Jeremy Snape for four but was last out for 40 when Henderson flung out his right arm to pluck a return catch out of the air.

Yorkshire are short on self-belief at the moment and they must recover their poise in time for Wednesday when they continue their push for promotion in the Championship by taking on Worcestershire at Headingley.

However, they have signed 25-year-old Australian fast bowler, Mark Cleary, for the rest of the season.

He plays for South Australia where Darren Lehmann is captain. It was Lehmann's decision last week not to replace fellow countryman Phil Jaques for Yorkshire's last three Championship matches that gave Yorkshire the chance to strengthen their fast bowling department.

Updated: 10:59 Monday, September 05, 2005