Yorkshire swooped today to sign yet another fast bowler - and immediately brought him into the first team against Kent at Headingley to replace Matthew Hoggard who has been released to play for England.

Lancashire-born Steve Kirby, 23, has played for Leicestershire Seconds and was given a trial game in Yorkshire's second team match against Durham at Middlesbrough a couple of weeks ago when he impressed with his sheer pace.

Those who have seen him in action say that he is already up to the speed of Hoggard and other top Yorkshire fast bowlers.

Kirby, who is not involved in Yorkshire Seconds current match with Lancashire, lives in Leicester, and Yorkshire decided to act quickly to sign him after hearing that Hoggard was last night having to dash from Headingley to Edgbaston in time for England's one-day international against Pakistan today.

Kirby was contacted in Leicester and hurried to Headingley in order to register in time for today's play. He is allowed to take a full part in the match and will bowl in Kent's second innings.

Yorkshire chief executive Chris Hassell said: "We are very pleased with the progress being made by our younger fast bowlers but we want to give them more time to develop without having to rush them into the first team.

"Injuries and Test calls have stretched our resources and the present circumstances made it the ideal time to sign Steven."

Matthew Hoggard grabbed four for 48 yesterday before his call-up for the opening day-night match in the NatWest triangular tournament.

Hoggard was called into the England squad to replace Andy Caddick who has a back injury and it was immediately after helping to bowl out Kent for 212 that he was told to pack his kit and head for Birmingham.

"Coach Wayne Clark passed on the news as I headed for the dressing room," said Hoggard.

"I was not on stand-by for England so it came as a complete surprise - but a very pleasant one.

"I have rarely bowled for England in one-day matches and never in an international and I will have to adjust my line and length a bit from the Test match."

Hoggard had plenty of success with Yorkshire in limited overs cricket last season, however, and in the Norwich Union League he was the country's leading wicket-taker with 37 dismissals at 12.37 runs apiece.

Updated: 11:59 Thursday, June 07, 2001