YORKSHIRE'S new Australian signing, Phil Jaques, flew into Leeds yesterday, revived himself after a day in the air with a couple of shots of coffee at Headingley and then headed straight for the nets to get in some serious practice.

The 25-year-old left-hander does not want time to acclimatise and he's not getting any because director of cricket, David Byas, has already pencilled him in for tomorrow's Championship clash with high fliers Hampshire.

Jaques stands in over the next month for fellow countryman, Darren Lehmann, who leaves today to join up with Australia for their tour of Zimbabwe, and Jaques knows only too well what big boots he has got to fill.

"Darren is a phenomenal player and only two months ago he was making a double century for South Australia against my State side, New South Wales," said Jaques.

"I think I chased 50 per cent of the balls he whacked around and it is a tremendous honour to be coming to Yorkshire to replace such a great player."

Jaques made a big name for himself last summer when he tasted county cricket for the first time with Northamptonshire, plundering 1,409 first class runs with 222 coming off footsore Yorkshire at Wantage Road.

"I just struck good form that day and now all I want to do is to make some big scores for Yorkshire," said Jaques.

"I am thrilled to be joining such a great club with such fine traditions. My father, Stuart, was born in Sheffield, and he has filled me in about how to be a good Yorkshireman. I certainly want to do the game and the club proud while I am over here."

A British passport holder, Jaques hoped to go on to play for England but when he joined New South Wales last winter the England and Wales Cricket Board ruled that he was no longer qualified and he was re-classified as an overseas player.

Northants considered challenging the ruling in court but then dropped the idea but they could not re-sign Jaques because they had already acquired two overseas players.

"I want to play cricket at the highest possible level and that may now have to be with Australia but at the moment I just want to concentrate on doing the best I can for both Yorkshire and New South Wales," he added.

"It would be nice to be with Yorkshire for the whole of the season but I will be here whenever they want me and I am looking forward immensely to the challenge.

"I will probably go home again when Lehmann returns but our own pre-season training will be starting up by then and I will make absolutely sure that I am in peak condition if Yorkshire suddenly want me back."

It is probable that Australia will require Lehmann or Harvey for a fortnight's cricket against Sri Lanka in July and then during September for the ICC Trophy competition which is due to be played in England.

Steve Kirby hopes to play tomorrow after recovering from a back injury.

Yorkshire (v Hampshire) from: Wood, White, McGrath, Jaques, Lumb, Harvey, Guy, Dawson, Silverwood, Hoggard, Kirby, Blain.

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, May 11, 2004