Yorkshire captain Darren Gough says his side could not have asked for a tougher start to their NatWest Pro40 League Division Two campaign.

The Tykes were comprehensively downed by the Essex Eagles, who completed a five-wicket win at Chelmsford on Wednesday night.

And now they must bounce back immediately with their clash against Surrey at Guilford on Sunday.

Both sides, Essex and Surrey, were at the top of the betting for promotion back to the top flight of the 40-over competition.

But Gough, who picked up a knee injury while batting at Chelmsford on Wednesday night, insists Yorkshire are improving in the limited overs format despite a worrying fortnight.

“It is going to be a hard division, and we have just played the team who is going to be up there at the end,” said the 37 year-old bowler.

“We will have come up against the hardest two teams in the division straight away. Essex are a quality one-day side, that is why they have done so well this season, and Surrey can beat anyone on their day.”

Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon blasted: “I can only describe the majority of our batting as pathetic. Darren Gough was one of the only ones to perform, he’s shown the batsmen up. It’s desperately disappointing.”