Bulldozers will move into Headingley to demolish the western terrace as soon as the Fourth Test match between England and the West Indies finishes in August, new president Robin Smith told Yorkshire members at the club's opening lunch at Elland Road, Leeds.

HAT-TRICK: Yorkshire's overseas star Darren Lehmann keeps it under his hat at today's cricket photocall at Headingley

"Provided the lawyers have got things in order by then the £9.2m redevelopment will begin with other parts of the ground also being rebuilt to include members' facilities," said Smith.

Yorkshire have been earmarked £2.9m of lottery cash for the project and other money has been promised by Leeds City Council. The county club will also make their own contribution and the search is now on to find business sponsors.

Smith said he was delighted that five Yorkshire players had been with England in South Africa last winter and that the club was participating in the rebirth of the England team.

He also paid tribute to the Press and particularly those covering Yorkshire cricket. "They are the oxygen that pulses through county cricket and the link with everyone who is interested in the game," he said.

Guest speaker Hugh Morris, the ECB technical director and former Glamorgan and England batsman, said there were many domestic changes this season and he thought that over a period of time counties would be wanting to develop young players and focus their energies on the new division one of the Championship.

The Yorkshire Academy was a shining example for all the other counties to follow and he was especially keen on a national academy for players between the ages of 19 and 23 to realise potential at the highest level.

Morris added that Yorkshire over the past couple of years had looked a very competent unit and it was a great achievement for the club to have seven lads in the England squad for this summer's Under 15s World Challenge Cup.

Geoff Boycott, Ray Illingworth and Brian Close were among the former Yorkhire players who attended the lunch.

With Anthony McGrath nursing a knee injury, Yorkshire have brought Matthew Wood into the 12 for tomorrow's opening Benson and Hedges Cup group match against Durham at Riverside.

That match is in doubt after torrential rain flooded the Riverside outfield. Yorkshire are scheduled to entertain Lancashire in the same competition at Headingley on Sunday.

Fast bowler Paul Hutchison, who is remodelling his action to avoid further serious back trouble, is still short of match practice and has not been included.

Yorkshire had hoped to play a practice match either side of yesterday's lunch but continuous heavy rain made it impossible to venture out.

Yorkshire from: Byas, White, Blakey, Lehmann, Vaughan, Fellows, Wood, Hamilton, Gough, Silverwood, Sidebottom, Hoggard.

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