Test veteran Dominic Cork has described Yorkshire star Ajmal Shahzad as 'just what England need'.

The 39-year-old Hampshire all-rounder played 39 Tests for his country, and is in the perfect position to assess the credentials of England's current crop of bowlers as an opponent.

He is facing Shahzad and Tim Bresnan in the ongoing LV= County Championship match at Headingley, in which a draw looks most likely ahead of tomorrow's final day.

Only 39.5 overs were possible today due to rain, and Yorkshire closed on 62-3 from 20.2 overs of their second innings, leading by 185.

Cork had watched former Windhill star Shahzad complete only his second five-wicket haul in Championship cricket this morning, and said: "He is definitely someone who can perform at the highest level.

"You've seen here that he can still cause problems on a wicket that isn't very quick. He swings it both ways, and he's got everything going for him.

"It's just down to him and whether he can perform day in and day out to get himself into that Test side."

Shahzad returned figures of 5-65 from 21.3 overs this morning to help bowl the visitors out for 232 in reply to Yorkshire's first innings 355.

He had Kabir Ali caught at third man after Ryan Sidebottom had got Cork and Nic Pothas. Bresnan also removed Danny Briggs after the visitors had started the day at 189-6.

Yorkshire, with a lead of 123, then reached 56-3 from 17 overs when the first lot of rain came at 2.20pm.

Shahzad, who will play for the Lions next week against Sri Lanka, is behind Bresnan, Steve Finn and Chris Tremlett for the third seamer's spot in the bowling attack for the first Test at Cardiff later this month.

Cork added: "It's good to see that England have got a good stock of bowlers who are performing well. It will be a difficult decision the selectors have to make."

Cork struck twice with the ball in Yorkshire's second innings, getting Adam Lyth and Joe Root (31) caught behind by Pothas. Joe Sayers also went the same way off the bowling of the David Griffiths.

When the players returned at 5.20pm, another 3.2 overs were bowled before more rain fell to signal an early close.

Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow will look to push their lead up to 300 tomorrow morning before a likely declaration before or at lunch.

Yorkshire face Kent in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition at Headingley on Sunday.