A TRIPLE century from Darren Lehmann has sent a strong message to Yorkshire fans that the club's Australian left-hander is still as run-hungry as ever.

Lehmann, who returns to Yorkshire next season for the final year of his contract, smashed an unbeaten 301 for South Australia in their current game against Western Australia in Adelaide.

It was the highest score of the South Australia captain's career, beating his 255 against Queensland on the same ground ten years ago, and his faultless innings came off 400 balls with 38 fours and three sixes.

Lehmann will be 36 by the time he rejoins Yorkshire and director of cricket David Byas will be relieved that the Australian's batting powers are showing no signs of waning.

With Yorkshire needing to sign an overseas fast bowler to stiffen their attack, Byas was unable to offer a new contract to Lehmann's fellow Australian Phil Jaques, who last season plundered 1,359 Championship runs at an average of 64.71.

Some supporters were concerned that Yorkshire were losing the younger and perhaps sharper batsman of the two but Lehmann's present form suggests that he is far from over the hill yet.

Lehmann had a season off from Yorkshire cricket last summer because it had earlier been assumed by both parties that he would be in Australia's Ashes squad but when he was not chosen it was agreed he should take a complete break from the game.

In compiling his 301, Lehmann completed the tenth double century of his career, three of which have been for Yorkshire for whom he has now hit 7,165 first-class runs for an average of 66.96 - the highest by any regular batsman in the club's history.

Updated: 11:18 Wednesday, November 16, 2005