GARY YATES is in line to make his first appearance of the season in Lancashire's Norwich Union National League game against Essex at Ilford tomorrow.

Yates was appointed second team captain this summer but manager Mike Watkinson always insisted that he would be still considered in one-day cricket.

And after consistent all-round form for the seconds, the 34-year-old has been drafted into a 12-man squad for the Ilford game with Lancashire missing Andy Flintoff on England duty and the injured Byas.

"Yatesy has responded really well to the extra responsibility of leading the seconds and he gives us another option at Essex depending on what the pitch is like," said Watkinson.

Yates was ignored for most of last season but made an immediate impact when he was finally given a chance, taking two for 23 in 10 overs in the C&G Trophy quarter final victory over Durham at Blackpool.

And a good performance tomorrow could book him a place in Lancashire's rematch with Essex in the C&G Trophy at Chelmsford on Wednesday.

Alec Swann, who has only played one limited overs match all season, is also included in the National League squad, but most interest at Ilford will surround Stuart Law and Ronnie Irani.

Their personality clash was a key factor in Law's move from Essex to Lancashire in the winter.

And Irani, who made the reverse move from Lancashire to Essex eight years ago, is currently in the best form in his life.

He has led from the front as Essex have booked a place in next weekend's Benson and Hedges Cup final against Worcestershire, and slammed a double century in this week's Championship game against Northants to strengthen his case for an England recall in the forthcoming NatWest one-day series against India and Sri Lanka.

But first Irani is relishing the prospect of a double clash with Lancashire and Law.

Lancashire's game against Durham University was abandoned as a draw yesterday without a ball being bowled.

Lancs (v Essex, tomorrow, from): Chilton, Swann, Chapple, Fairbrother, Lloyd, Hegg, Schofield, Yates, Wood, Hogg, Martin.