Cricket: The week ahead - Yorkshire remain buoyant despite Gough's absence

THE loss of Darren Gough may be felt less by Yorkshire than by England during the absence forced by his broken finger. Certainly, his county captain, David Byas, is unconcerned, even with a Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final coming up at Headingley tomorrow.

"It is a blow but not a major one," Byas said at the weekend. "Often when bowlers come back from a Test they are short of their best and our young seamers are doing pretty well."

Yorkshire have won 11 of their 12 one-day matches this season, with considerable help from the likes of Ryan Sidebottom and Gavin Hamilton, two bowlers who do not yet figure in the front rank of the county's considerable resources. Sidebottom is likely to take Gough's place, while Darren Lehmann returns after injury.

If Surrey rather than Essex stood between Yorkshire and Lord's their confidence might be less buoyant. But Essex currently represent a threat only through reputation, to which their position at the bottom of the Britannic Assurance table bears witness.

The holders, meanwhile, face the more difficult task of overcoming Leicestershire at Grace Road, although having maintained their Championship lead in the absence of their Test players they will not be fazed by opponents who they have beaten in their last four meetings in the competition, including last year's semi-final at the Oval.

The South Africans meet Nottinghamshire in a limited overs match on Wednesday, followed by a three-day encounter with Sussex at Arundel, starting on Friday. The Championship programme resumes on Thursday, giving Surrey the chance to see what they can do to Essex at Chelmsford. Durham, meanwhile, need only a few bonus points from their match with Northamptonshire at Chester-le-Street to move into second place.