Fast bowler Mark Cleary, Yorkshire's new Australian signing, arrived at Headingley and vowed to help the Tykes win promotion to the First Division of the Championship.

Cleary, 25, recommended by his South Australia captain Darren Lehmann, who returns to Yorkshire next season to see out his contract, goes straight into the side for tomorrow's crucial match against Worcestershire at Headingley.

If Yorkshire win this game or one of their two other remaining fixtures then promotion is almost assured because they need just 39 points from their last three matches to be absolutely certain of going up, regardless of what other teams do.

Yorkshire, the only unbeaten side in the Championship, opted for the pace of Cleary after Lehmann himself had been unable to replace fellow countryman, Phil Jaques, for the rest of the season.

And Cleary revealed that Lehmann had given him a "warning call" two days before the fast bowler was contacted by Yorkshire's director of cricket, David Byas, and a deal clinched.

"Darren told me that they are a great bunch of lads at Yorkshire and that he wanted me to help them gain promotion because he is keen to play in the top division of the Championship next season," said Cleary.

"This is a great opportunity for me to get in some first-class cricket before the Australian season starts and I will be giving it my best shot because I would like to come back to Yorkshire next summer if they still want me.

"I am feeling very fit and have kept in trim by bowling and training with the Australian Academy over the past few weeks."

Cleary describes himself as a medium fast bowler but he has clocked over 90mph in a match. "I was on TV and must have been trying a bit," he said.

Cleary enjoyed a successful season with Leicestershire last year and was due to return but had to give backword because of a disc problem which has now cleared up.

Durham had shown an interest in signing Cleary as their end-of-season replacement for Mike Hussey but in the end they went for another batsman in Jimmy Maher.

Yorkshire will once again be without fast bowler Chris Silverwood, who has not won back his place since suffering a hamstring strain in the Roses match at Old Trafford in mid-August.

Yorkshire (v Worcestershire) from: Wood, Sayers, McGrath, Lumb, Harvey, White, Bresnan, Dawson, Guy, Cleary, Kruis, Blain.

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, September 06, 2005