RICHARD Pyrah may get a rare chance to prove his worth for Yorkshire Phoenix in their NatWest Pro40 League day-night match against Worcestershire Royals at Headingley Carnegie Stadium today (4.40pm start).

The 23-year-old Dewsbury all-rounder comes into a squad of 13 as a possible replacement for Jason Gillespie, who has returned to Australia until the end of the month, and if he plays it will be his first senior appearance of the summer.

Pyrah showed plenty of promise, particularly with the bat, when he burst into Yorkshire's Championship side towards the end of 2004 but opportunities have been few and far between since then.

His only Championship outing last year was against Worcestershire at New Road when he scored a courageous 78 but indifferent form in the Second XI this time has weighed against him.

Another promising all-rounder, Ajmal Shahzad, is also in the squad after recovering from a side injury which he picked up while bowling in the quarter-final of the Twenty20 Cup competition against Essex at Chelmsford a month ago.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Gerard Brophy retains his place, despite having lost it to Simon Guy in last week's drawn Championship match against Kent.

Phoenix's excellent victory over Somerset Sabres at Taunton in their last match has given them a glimmer of hope of recovering well enough to finish at least in third spot in the Division Two table, which would result in a play-off with the third-bottom side in Division One to determine which of the two would be in the top flight next year.

They must beat Royals to continue entertaining such thoughts, however, as only three matches will then remain, including next Sunday's visit to Surrey Lions, who are strongly fancied for promotion.

Yorkshire Phoenix (v Worcestershire Royals) from: White, McGrath, Lehmann, Lumb, Gale, Sayers, Brophy, Pyrah, Ajmal Shahzad, Dawson, Patterson, Kruis, Thornicroft.

TODAY'S CRICKET (11am unless stated) Liverpool Victoria County Championship (Day 1 of 4) Division One Riverside: Durham v Warwickshire Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Kent Division Two Northampton: Northamptonshire v Leicestershire Taunton: Somerset v Gloucestershire NatWest Pro40 Division Two Headingley: Yorkshire Phoenix v Worcestershire Royals (4.40pm)