Red-faced Yorkshire were deciding today whether to go ahead and sign 21-year-old Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who played a heroic innings for his country in the one-day international against England at Lord's last summer.

News of the move has broken after the Tykes were yesterday bowled out for 54 by Essex - their lowest-ever one-day total.

Director of Cricket Geoff Cope would last night neither confirm nor deny reports on an India website that Yuvraj had signed for the county.

"We haven't got a contract and we haven't got a player as it stands at the moment," he said. "We have spoken to Yuvraj Singh but we have also spoken to about six other players. A meeting of the Yorkshire Management Board is being held tomorrow when all four members will discuss Yuvraj and a decision will be taken."

If Yuvraj comes he will, for the time being, play alongside Australian left-hander Matthew Elliott, who has just recovered from a knee injury which caused him to miss the season's opening matches.

Elliott has also been under considerable personal stress due to the very serious illness of his brother-in-law back home but intends to stay with Yorkshire for the time being and he has been included in the side to play Cambridgeshire in the Cheltenham and Trophy third round match at March tomorrow.

Yuvraj won the man of the match award at Lord's last June when he got India out of deep trouble with a brilliant unbeaten 64 after capturing three for 39. He bats left handed and bowls left arm spin.

He is reported as saying: "I am thrilled with the offer and I think it will be a great experience. I expect to be leaving for England in seven to ten days time."

Yorkshire denied that a club spokesman had told the website: "Apart from being a devastating batsman he is a very good fielder and a handy bowler as well. We are looking forward to having him in our ranks."

Updated: 11:45 Tuesday, May 06, 2003