YORKSHIRE were expecting Darren Lehmann to pass a late fitness test and declare himself fit for today's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy fourth round match against Surrey at Headingley.

The Australian injured his right knee when he took a tumble in the field last week but a scan has revealed no internal damage.

"There is bruising and it is still quite sore but Darren should have recovered sufficiently to play," said a relieved captain, David Byas.

Five England players in today's game, which was expected to be delayed by rain, will all be trying to improve their form ahead of next week's second Test at Lord's - Darren Gough and Craig White for Yorkshire and Alec Stewart, Mark Butcher and Ian Ward for Surrey.

Ironically, while Alec Stewart and Butcher were making it clear yesterday that they did not want to be considered as stand-in England captain until Nasser Hussain recovers from his broken hand, Gough was cheerily putting himself forward for the job.

Gough may be short on captaincy expertise but he could hardly do worse than anyone else against the rampant Aussies and the England fans would certainly get behind the only charismatic personality in the side and one who has time and again turned in heroic acts.

Despite having their full battery of pacemen to choose from - apart from the injured Matthew Hoggard - Yorkshire's fast bowlers must be far more accurate than in recent one-day games if they are to restrict Surrey's free scoring batsmen.

Coach Wayne Clark admits that there have been far too many potential four-balls recently and that the attack must tighten up.

"The bowling has been too inconsistent and off different lengths and this has prevented us from applying pressure," said Clark.

"It is something we have been working on and I hope we see an improvement today."

Updated: 11:52 Wednesday, July 11, 2001