County champions Yorkshire were determined to celebrate their new status with a victory over last year's holders, Surrey, in the game which started at The Oval today.

It is the first time Yorkshire have been in Championship action since clinching the crown at Scarborough a week last Friday and they knew they were in for a hard scrap because Surrey are only seven points clear of the third relegation place and need every point they can get.

Yorkshire fielded a much changed side with left-hander Vic Craven and reserve wicketkeeper Simon Guy both coming in for their first games of the season.

Guy's presence gave Richard Blakey a much needed rest while the inclusion of Craven sent out a clear message that he remains an important part of the club's future plans.

Craven was one of the young players Yorkshire were thinking of releasing in order to prune the cricket budget but skipper David Byas and coach Wayne Clark were both adamant that the club would not be getting rid of him.

Yorkshire included two regular off-spinners in Richard Dawson and Andy Gray with Michael Vaughan on hand to help out if necessary while the fast bowling was in the hands of Matthew Hoggard and Steven Kirby who will have back-up from Craven's medium-pacers.

Yorkshire were missing Darren Gough, Gavin Hamilton, Chris Silverwood and Ryan Sidebottom with injuries while England have made Craig White unavailable for his county for the remainder of the season.

Farsley's Chris Taylor was given another chance ahead of Scott Richardson and although Darren Lehmann is resting his body now the Championship is won he is still in the first team squad and was down for 12th man duties.

Yorkshire's lead at the top of the table is a healthy 49 points over second-placed Somerset but skipper David Byas is aware that his team will be in for a tough time over the next few days.

"Surrey will be trying to squeeze everything they can out of the game and we are going to have to be at our best to beat them," he said.

This is Yorkshire's last away fixture of the season and they wrap things up at Scarborough next week when their opponents will be bottom club Essex.

Yorkshire: Wood, Vaughan, Taylor, McGrath, Craven, Byas, Dawson, Guy, Hoggard, Kirby, Gray.

Updated: 11:59 Wednesday, September 05, 2001