Yorkshire v Surrey

Darren Lehmann skippers Yorkshire for the first time

County Championship D1, Headingley: Yorkshire v Surrey

Darren Lehmann becomes the first overseas player to captain Yorkshire when the defending champions take on Surrey, their major rivals for this year's crown.

Lehmann was expected to miss the start of the season and Simon Katich had been lined-up to take his place, but the cancellation of Australia's tour to Zimbabwe left him free to return to Headingley.

With David Byas now wearing the Red Rose of Lancashire these are new times for Yorkshire and Lehmann, who has captained South Australia in the past, is charged with repeating last year's triumph.

Yorkshire will be without the centrally contracted trio of Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough and Michael Vaughan, and will also be missing Craig White due to a groin injury.

The fit again Chris Silverwood will take the new ball with the flame haired Steve Kirby, who will be looking to progress after a winter at the ECB academy.

Surrey started their quest for a third title in four seasons in style by thumping Sussex to the tune of 10 wickets. Mark Butcher, standing-in as captain for Adam Hollioake will be warning his side about the need to get early momentum.

Mark Butcher led Surrey to a crushing victory in their opening match

"There is a lot of history between the two sides so it's always going to be a tough match," Butcher said. "But what is important for us at this time of year is not to fall behind in the championship as we did last season - because then it is so hard to catch up."

Surrey are expected to name the same team with Ed Giddins again set to miss out.

Surrey squad: M Butcher, I Ward, M Ramprakash, A Stewart, A Brown, N Shahid, A Mahmood, A Tudor, M Bicknell, I Salisbury, J Ormond, M Carberry, E Giddins.

Yorkshire squad: M Wood, S Richardson, M Lumb, D Lehmann, C Taylor, G Fellows, G Hamilton, R Blakey, C Silverwood, R Sidebottom, S Kirby.