Lehmann and McGrath bail out Yorkshire

Yorkshire, whose thin hopes of avoiding relegation were dealt a double blow yesterday, may turn to Aravinda de Silva to see them through the critical late weeks of the summer. They have learned that their free-scoring captain, Darren Lehmann, will be required by Australia from 15 August to the end of the season and Simon Katich, the Australian batsman signed to deputise, will be vice captain of Australia A in South Africa from 4 September.

De Silva, who had a successful spell as Kent's overseas professional, is the class of batsman Yorkshire, bottom of the First Division, would hope would buttress the side through five County Championship matches and, possibly, the Cheltenham & Gloucester final on 31 August should they beat Surrey in the semi-final.

Just how much of a loss Lehmann will be was emphasised at the start of the 237th Roses match, under gloomy skies yesterday morning. Appearing at 24 for 2, as Lancashire took full advantage of a lively pitch, Lehmann reached his seventh consecutive first-class fifty, a sequence made all the more impressive because it was interrupted by a return to play for Australia.

His run reads 51, 119 not out, 71, 216, 64, 75 and he had reached 68 when the rain arrived in mid-afternoon yesterday. The irony of this innings is that it should have ended when he was 22.

David Byas, Yorkshire's title-winning captain from last season, appeared in his new role as Lancashire's first slip and, when Matthew Wood was five, seemed to take a low slip catch off Peter Martin. Lancashire's close field went up in jubilation but Wood stood his ground, the umpires consulted and Tony Clarkson to Lancashire's anger, ruled not out.

Wood had not improved his score when he was confounded by a superb breakback from Martin. 'Digger' then embellished a fine opening spell by trapping Craig White and Yorkshire were facing another uphill struggle. Anthony McGrath continued his fine form of Chelmsford but Lehmann, impatient, went for his shots and should have been caught by Byas off the 19-year-old Burnley express, James Anderson, but this one did not stick.

Even at lunch some Yorkies were arguing that Lancashire should have been sent in first. By then Yorkshire had 113 on the board and the crisis had passed as the third-wicket pair headed for a 150 stand before rain ended play 47 overs short.