Yorkshire, unbeaten in any competition so far this season, were looking to strengthen their Championship position in the clash with Northamptonshire which began at Headingley today.

The match also gives England captain Michael Vaughan his first chance to play the sort of long innings that will be expected of him later this summer in the battle for the Ashes.

Vaughan's first knock this season was on Wednesday when he made a careful 58 against Ireland in Belfast, but it's extended time at the crease that he now needs and at least one big score over the next four days will be of value both to himself and to Yorkshire.

"I am just glad to be playing again and at the moment I am just concentrating on trying to win a match or two for Yorkshire," said Vaughan.

"I got some runs in Ireland which was good and now I hope I can make my mark in the longer game."

A win for Yorkshire, who are fourth in the table, will give them a hat-trick of home victories at the expense of Northants.

Vaughan's presence means that a batsman will have to stand down and Michael Lumb is the one who will likely be left out.

Yorkshire from: Wood, Vaughan, Jaques, McGrath, Harvey, White, Dawson, Dawood, Bresnan, Hoggard, Kruis, Lumb.

Northants: Shafayat, Love, Afzaal, Sales, R A White, Brophy, Wright, Phillips, Louw, Jones, Brown, A R White.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, May 06, 2005