Andrew Hodd is looking forward to playing his part in county cricket’s biggest rivalry tomorrow when Lancashire visit Headingley for a crucial Friends Life t20 clash.

The former Sussex and Surrey wicketkeeper accepts that his chances of an England call-up have bitten the dust, so is keen to make the most of every opportunity he gets to play in front of a full house.

Hodd has heard all about the feverish nature of a Roses Twenty20, and he believes the Headingley crowd could be the difference as the Vikings look to get back on track after two North Division defeats to start their campaign.

Last season’s champions Hampshire lost two and had the other rained off out of their first three matches on the way to the title, so Yorkshire’s hopes are still very much alive.

But it would leave them with a near impossible task if they were to lose to their arch-rivals, who have lost on their last three visits across the Pennines.

“Hopefully a Roses derby will bring the best out of the boys,” said 29-year-old Hodd, who was an FLt20 winner with Sussex in 2009.

“Both times we’ve batted and have been slow out of the blocks but hopefully the crowd will get behind us and the boys will forget about the technical and tactical issues and just go out and enjoy it.

“I’ve heard a lot about the crowd at Headingley for these sorts of matches, and hopefully they can be the 12th man.

“I’m never going to play for England, and this is as close as you’ll get. The thing I want to do is play in front of big crowds. I reckon this is the biggest game on the circuit unless you reach Finals Day.”

Yorkshire’s form in limited overs cricket this season has been poor, both in the 40-over and Twenty20 arena. They have lost six of eight Yorkshire Bank 40 matches, which Hodd believes has been a contributing factor to their sluggish start in Twenty20.

“We’ve played a weakened team in the 40-over stuff after the first couple of games, and everybody understands why,” added the Chichester-born player. “But certain habits can creep in.

“It only takes one game to turn it around though. It’s such a confidence game that one turns into two and all of a sudden you’re on a roll and into the quarter-finals.”