McGrath helps high-flying Phoenix' promotion bid

It is Yorkshire's penultimate game of the season in the competition and nothing less than a win will do if they are to stay in the promotion race

McGrath was due to leave Yorkshire to join up with England's one-day squad after next week's Championship match against Glamorgan, which starts at Colwyn Bay on Tuesday.

But McGrath said: "I should have teamed up with England during the day on Sunday but now I have been told I can play for Yorkshire first. It is a very big match and I will be delighted if I can help Yorkshire win it and keep alive their promotion hopes.''

MGrath has been in great form for Yorkshire of late and is keeping his fingers crossed that he will get the chance to make an impact for England in their three-match NatWest Challenge Series with India, which starts at Trent Bridge on September 1.

Rain wiped out all but the first hour and 50 minutes of the second day of Yorkshire's Championship match against Leicestershire at Grace Road yesterday.

Resuming on 333 for seven, Leicestershire lost a wicket to the second ball of the day from Tim Bresnan which Phil DeFreitas edged to Phil Jaques at second slip.

It was just reward for Bresnan, who had been Yorkshire's best bowler the previous day without any tangible success, and he struck again in his next over by flattening Claude Henderson's off-stump.

But Yorkshire were then frustrated by a last-wicket stand of 36 between Ottis Gibson and Charlie Dagnall, which took the score to 382 before Dagnall fell lbw to John Blain.

Gibson's unbeaten 60 off 94 balls with nine fours was his best score for Leicestershire, while Yorkshire's Steve Kirby and McGrath each captured three wickets.

Matthew Wood and Jaques emulated Leicestershire's rapid start with 28 coming off the first four overs but Jaques was caught at deep backward square leg when his misdirected hook at DeFreitas landed in Gibson's hands.