Yorkshire today began their Liverpool Victoria Champion-ship programme against Nott-inghamshire at Trent Bridge with Tim Bresnan already having earned the respect of the title-holders.

While Yorkshire were gently warming up against Leeds-Bradford Universities over the Easter weekend, Bresnan was strutting the Lord's stage for the MCC in their first-class encounter with Notts.

Bresnan drew inspiration from his first appearance at cricket's headquarters and, as well as picking up five top-order wickets in the match, he hit a career-best 94.

This overtook his 74 for Yorkshire against Somerset at Headingley last season.

Yorkshire are confident that 21-year-old Bresnan will, in time, take over from captain Craig White as their leading all-rounder and he could hardly have made a more positive start to the season with either bat or ball.

Although still uncapped, Bresnan shoulders the main bowling responsibility in the current match, with Deon Kruis out injured and Jason Gillespie still waiting to link up with Yorkshire in a few days' time.

The Australian paceman has revitalised his international career on the short tour of Bangladesh and, resuming his nightwatchman's role in the second Test in Chittagong yesterday, went on to complete a maiden first-class century.

Yorkshire last played in a Championship match at Trent Bridge two years ago in their first away game of the season, although it ended in a draw after the first and second days were washed out and only 135 minutes play was possible on the third.

But on their previous visit in 1999, Yorkshire won an exciting contest on a sub-standard pitch by three wickets, with Gavin Hamilton and Chris Silverwood sharing an unbroken match-winning stand of 33.

Hamilton has now been released by Durham but continues to be a key player for Scotland, while Silver-wood has just been released from his Yorkshire contract and has joined Middlesex.

Yorkshire director of cricket David Byas admitted that it was a double blow going into the opening game without either Kruis or Gillespie but he paid tribute to all of his young pace bowlers.

"They have worked hard since reporting back in March and have performed well on docile pitches in the pre-season matches," he said.