Yorkshire face an early-season crunch clash against Derbyshire at Headingley today, according to their director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon.

Last Sunday’s shock home defeat to the Netherlands has already left the county with a mountain to climb in their bid to match last season’s qualification for the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition.

It was the first of 12 Group A matches, and only the top team in each of the three groups is assured of a last-four place. The other qualifier will be the best second-place finisher across the three groups.

“We can’t afford to lose too many more games, so hopefully we can bounce back,” stressed Moxon.

“If last year is anything to go by, we might need to win ten group games. We can’t afford too many more slip-ups. Defeat against the Netherlands makes this game extra important. We need to win as soon as possible.”

Derbyshire, who hosted Sussex yesterday, were also beaten by the Dutch in their first fixture last Monday.

But Moxon knows that Luke Sutton’s men can be dangerous opponents.

He said: “Derbyshire were a competitive team in one-day cricket last year. They have some dangerous players. But I’m more concerned about how we play. If we play to our capabilities, we won’t go too far wrong.”

While a Yorkshire XI won their three-day first-class friendly against Durham University from Wednesday to Friday, the majority of first-team players were enjoying time at home with their families.

Today signals the start of a hectic May, in which the White Rose play four CB40 and five LV= County Championship matches.

Moxon and captain Andrew Gale will select from the same 13-man squad as for the Dutch match, and that will include England bowler Ajmal Shahzad.

Batsman Anthony McGrath is their only fitness concern after admitting that he is still struggling with a sciatic pain in his back, a knock-on effect from knee surgery in March. He had an injection after the Netherlands defeat.

“We have cover if Mags does miss the game because Joe Sayers in the squad,” added Moxon.

Sayers captained Yorkshire up at Durham but has otherwise not featured in the first team since Worcester because Joe Root has been favoured.

The left-hander, however, is doing all he can to earn a recall, scoring 139 and 53 against the students.

One man who will definitely not play today is Azeem Rafiq, the White Rose off-spinner who is on a month’s loan with Derby.

Today’s match is televised on Sky Sports (1.45pm).