Australian Matthew Elliott almost earned a place in the record books on his first appearance for Yorkshire in the Roses match at Old Trafford yesterday.

The tall left-hander, who has replaced fellow countryman Darren Lehmann for the remainder of the season, looked like becoming the only Yorkshire batsman to make a Roses century on his county debut.

But after moving effortlessly to 83 he offered no stroke to a ball from James Anderson which dipped in on him and trapped him lbw.

It was the only mistake he made in a confident and technically correct display which lasted for 127 balls and contained 14 boundaries.

Yorkshire were indebted to their newcomer and also to Richard Blakey, the longest-serving member of their playing staff, who defiantly held things together after Elliott had gone to complete his fifth half-century of the season.

Blakey, under some pressure to get his contract renewed, ended the day unbeaten on 68 with Yorkshire still hanging in there at 272 for eight but the only other innings of note came from opener Vic Craven with a cameo 36.

Elliott was not the only Yorkshire debutant because 17-year-old fast bowler, Nick Thornicroft, from Sheriff Hutton, was also pushed into the firing line for the first time when he was given the vote over David Wigley.

Every possible drama seemed to be packed into the first few minutes after Yorkshire had decided to bat first on winning the toss. Craven struck Glen Chapple's first ball through mid-wicket for four and in the next over lost partner Chris Taylor for a duck to a lifting delivery from Anderson, which struck him on the glove and flew to Stuart Law at second slip.

In the following over from Chapple, Craven edged to Neil Fairbrother at second slip but the catch was put down and the Lancashire veteran hobbled off the field with a twisted knee and did not return until the afternoon.

Craven and Elliott calmed things down but Craven did not hold back on his shots and he found the boundary with some fine strokes until he edged Chapple to David Byas at first slip, who finally held on after four or five juggling attempts.

Elliott stayed in control but Anthony McGrath scored only one run in his first hour at the crease before Elliott made his error of judgement and Yorkshire began to fold.

McGrath, having used up 100 balls on his 17, lost patience and miscued a catch to Gary Keedy at mid-on and when Keedy dismissed Gary Fellows off bat and pad three balls later, Blakey was coming in with Yorkshire an uncomfortable 149 for five.

Michael Lumb and Richard Dawson both failed to cash in on dropped catches and failed to give Blakey the support he was looking for but Chris Silverwood stayed with him until the new ball came when he chipped Chapple to Mark Chilton at mid-off.

By then, Blakey had moved sedately to his 50 off 111 balls with seven fours and he was then kept company until the close by Steven Kirby, who was making his first appearance since mid-June after recovering from a back injury.

Lancashire wicketkeeper Warren Hogg had to leave the field in the closing overs of the day when he dislocated his little finger and he was replaced behind the stumps by Jamie Haynes.

l Yorkshire may face censure from the England and Wales Cricket Board over the condition of the pitch on which they beat Surrey by ten wickets to make it into the final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

After torrential rain had prevented any play over the three days scheduled for the match between July 31 and August 2, the ECB allowed a breach in the regulations by letting the game go ahead on August 4 instead of deciding the issue with a bowl-out.

The pitch prepared for the original game, however, was used on August 1 for Yorkshire Phoenix's clash with Nottinghamshire Outlaws but because Yorkshire officials felt it had taken too much spin the C&G game was switched to another strip.

Surrey, bowled out for 173, never looked happy with the conditions and they lodged an official complaint with the ECB that the new pitch was damp and not up to standard. An ECB spokesman yesterday admitted that an enquiry was being held into the state of the pitch.