Yorkshire will have Matthew Hoggard and Michael Vaughan in the ranks for their first County Championship match of the season.

As the Tykes launch their Division One campaign at Kent, they will reap the benefits of not having a game in the first round of matches as all of England's centrally contracted stars were withdrawn from those games.

Now the emphasis will be on getting the England players ready for a busy summer, which starts next month with two Tests against Pakistan.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka superstar Muttiah Muralitharan has set himself two career goals - to pass 500 Test wickets and help Lancashire reclaim their long-lost championship crown.

Muralitharan missed his county's season-opening innings win over Somerset at Taunton but will come straight into the side for fellow spinner Gary Keedy, who has a back injury. England opener Michael Atherton is also available. Graham Thorpe will also be free to play for Surrey.

Lancashire top the table as one of only two sides to win in the opening round of matches and the other, Essex, take on Northamptonshire hoping to build on their fine start.