Lehmann's treble role a concern for Yorkshire
Hampshire 354 Yorkshire 207-5
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Your support makes all the difference.The first hint that Yorkshire might be contemplating a change of course, after their disastrous start to the season, came with weekend suggestions that Darren Lehmann might find it difficult to continue his treble role as Australia's one-day player and captain of South Australia and Yorkshire. He is due to leave a week on Wednesday for three weeks and may be called on again before the end of the summer.
Yorkshire have lost all three Championship matches this season and were routed by Essex in the Benson and Hedges quarter-finals. Only 10 overs were possible here yesterday, in three spells, so that the most the champions can hope for from this match is four points for a draw and bonus points. Lehmann's own form has suffered, too. Last season he averaged 83; currently he registers 28.
The wicketkeeper Richard Blakey leads the side in his absence and Simon Katich, who has led Western Australia in the past, deputises as overseas-professional. With Michael Vaughan under central contract, Yorkshire do not have many options but they must have been aware of the possibility that Lehmann might struggle. One international coach commented, when he heard of the appointment: "He's one of the world's best batsmen but I have never seen him as a successful captain."
Craig White took advantage of some creaky Hampshire bowling when play did restart, driving and pulling Tremlett for three quick boundaries before he misjudged Dimitri Mascarenhas' length, played back to a ball that kept low and was bowled. Blakey has barely taken guard when the light meters appeared again and the tiny attendance dispersed.
* The second one-day international between the West Indies and India was called off because of heavy rain at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica yesterday.
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