YORKSHIRE have made a bold decision not to rush out and replace the injured Craig White with a second overseas player.

Instead, they will let some of their own younger players fight it out to fill the gap caused by the England all-rounder's absence over the next ten weeks or so.

Director of Cricket, Geoff Cope, said he had talked over the situation with captain Anthony McGrath and the club coaches and they were happy to progress with their present first team squad.

"We have got a good number of quality fast bowlers to choose from and we are very encouraged by what we have seen our batsmen achieve in the warm-up matches," said Cope.

"McGrath and Chris Taylor have both rapped out big scores at Headingley this week and Michael Lumb, Matthew Wood and Scott Richardson have also continued to make healthy contributions.

"Players like Vic Craven, Taylor and Richardson are all looking for the chance to establish themselves and there would be fewer opportunities if we brought in another overseas player.

"If things don't work out, however, we will review the situation and then possibly decide to recruit. We are keeping our options open."

Cope addressed Yorkshire members and fans at the club's opening luncheon at Headingley when he was able to report that White was now resting at home after his operation to remove two inches from a rib.

The only other player who is unfit for selection for Friday's opening Championship fixture against Northamptonshire at Headingley is Craven who broke his hand while batting in the nets a few weeks ago.

The Harrogate-born left-hander, who plays for Pudsey Congs, is making excellent progress and has just started facing up to a hard ball again. He should be fully fit before too long.

Michael Vaughan, now top of the list of the world's best batsmen, cannot play in the curtain-raiser on England's instructions, but he was very much in the England selectors' thoughts at their meeting at Edgbaston today.

They were discussing their options for the captaincy of England's one-day side now that Nasser Hussain has said he no longer wishes to be considered for that role.

Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick and Adam Hollioake are the front-runners for the job.

Yorkshire's players were concluding their final practice match at Headingley today, only breaking off briefly to join the lunch before returning to the action.

The continuous dry and mainly sunny weather over the past few weeks means their preparations have gone on unhindered and they will start out as fit as they have ever been.

Updated: 10:25 Wednesday, April 16, 2003