Yorkshire were confidently predicting a bumper crowd for tonight's Twenty20 Roses showdown at Headingley as the demand for tickets remained at a high level.

The corresponding match last year attracted a crowd of 11,600 and Yorkshire officials believe that this time the ground could reach its 15,500 capacity.

"Interest in the match has been amazing and tickets have already been selling well for Yorkshire's other home matches against Derbyshire, Durham and Nottinghamshire," said the club's director of marketing Ian Bishop.

The Roses match, though, remains the showpiece fixture and Yorkshire are hoping to overwhelm Lancashire just as they did last year when they beat them by eight wickets.

In that game, Andrew Flintoff marked his maiden Twenty20 appearance with a blockbuster 85 off 48 balls with ten fours and three sixes.

But the big man was knocked off centre stage by Yorkshire's Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, who returned from injury to flog an unbeaten 108 from just 59 deliveries with 16 fours and two sixes.

Yorkshire do not have Flintoff to worry about this time, however, because he is currently playing for England in the NatWest Series.

Today's match was scheduled to begin at 5.30pm and spectators were advised to get to the ground early so that they can be sure of taking their seats before the start.

Yorkshire's next North Group game is against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on Sunday when there will be a 2.30pm start.

Next week, Yorkshire are at home to Derbyshire on Tuesday and Durham on Thursday before travelling to Old Trafford for the return Roses match on Friday. All those games will begin at 5.30pm.

Updated: 10:35 Wednesday, June 22, 2005