YORKSHIRE'S recently improved form will face a stiff examination on Sunday when Phoenix play table-toppers Surrey Lions at The Oval in the first division of the National League.

After winning their first game at Edgbaston, Yorkshire have lost five on the bounce and now prop up the table with relegation looking inevitable unless there is a sudden change in fortunes.

Surrey, on the other hand, boast an unbeaten record.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will have his first League outing and Pieter Swanepoel joins the squad because Chris Silverwood is still suffering from a sore heel.

Steve Kirby should have his first game of the season in the competition and he will be hoping that he maintains the form that has served him so well in the last couple of Championship matches.

With Fleming likely to open the innings in the absence of Silverwood, Yorkshire will be trying their fifth different opening batting combination in seven matches.

Yorkshire Phoenix from: Wood, Fleming, White, Lumb, Yuvraj, Craven, Blakey, Gray, Bresnan, Kirby, Sidebottom, Swanepoel.

Updated: 10:47 Saturday, July 05, 2003