Yorkshire 51-1 v Nottinghamshire: Vaughan stands up to the early threat of Sidebottom and Broad

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Were he Yorkshire's captain, Michael Vaughan might have come up with several reasons not to bat first here yesterday, among them the prospect of exposing his lack of runs so far this season to the twin threat of Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad.

No two England bowlers shone more during the winter, and given that nothing excites an England bowler more than a chance to embarrass their international captain, Darren Gough seemed to be asking for trouble by inviting Nottinghamshire to bowl first, especially – after a delayed start – in conditions unlikely to favour the batsman.

So it was probably with some satisfaction that Vaughan left the field unscathed after the two hours' play possible, having faced 81 balls for his 25 runs with a couple of streaky moments but no major alarms.

Sidebottom, who needs to impress no one, did so anyway, opening his new ball spell at the Kirkstall Lane with seven consecutive maidens. Broad appealed loudly for leg before against Vaughan in his first over and tried hard to look menacing after every delivery.

On his Championship debut for Nottinghamshire, Broad may feel he is measuring himself against Matthew Hoggard, whom he displaced from the England side in New Zealand, and made his case for a recall with eight wickets against Hampshire last week.

Mark Ealham took the wicket to fall, beating Joe Sayers' defensive push to bowl the opener off an inside edge.