Elliott quick to make his mark

Yorkshire 272-8 v Lancashire

Just when speculation was mounting as to whether Matt Elliott, on 83, would become the first Yorkshire player to score a century when making his debut in a Roses match he was given out leg before by the umpire John Holder. Both to the naked eye and on television replay it looked a poor decision – high and wide – but Elliott, flown in from Melbourne last Sunday to deputise for Darren Lehmann, took it like a Corinthian, chin up, brisk march off.

His score was a major contribution to another stuttering Yorkshire batting performance, redeemed by the tail, and his dismissal, seven overs after lunch, left the champions clinging on grimly .They had known what to expect by a glance at a Lancashire team sheet that included two specialist spinners. Sure enough, the left-arm Gary Keedy appeared after only 54 minutes and one end or the other was taken by Keedy or the off-spinner Gary Yates for much of the day

Elliott's display was, however, a silver lining for a strong Yorkshire contingent still buzzing about Monday's upheaval in the government of the club. "From Democracy-Gone-Mad to a Politburo in two hours" was how one old-stager put it, but even the cynics agree that the air is clearer. The team, too, despite the axe hanging over several players, has perked up with a Cup final in prospect and the return of its glittering England stars.

Elliott, moreover, is already signed for next season as the second overseas professional and probable captain if Lehmann is absent as often as expected. Lancashire's second overseas recruit will be "The Turbanator", Harbhajan Singh, who would have been an awkward prospect here where Keedy was winning turn and bounce from the footholds. The right-handers, down the order, were more difficult to contain.

Chris Taylor, probably seeing James Anderson for the first time, was surprised by speed and bounce, the ball flying from the shoulder of the bat to third slip;Vic Craven's brisk and purposeful knock was ended by another, juggling, slip catch. Anthony McGrath spent 10 overs on one – Elliott was careering along at the other end – before a mis-pull to mid-on; Gary Fellows was ambushed by a diving short leg while Michael Lumb chased a wide ball after having settled in.

It could have been worse: Craven was missed at slip when four, Neil Fairbrother having to retire for treatment to a knee, Richard Blakey offered a sharp return catch and both Richard Dawson and Steve Kirby might have been held before scoring. Blakey's was a captain's innings, to garner another point. Warren Hegg missed the last 10 overs with a dislocated little finger, Jamie Haynes deputising.