Yorkshire's under-prepared bowling attack showed plenty of promise when it creaked into action at Headingley before rain wiped out play with Essex on 128 for three in 43 overs.

Putting their opponents in on a dreary day, Yorkshire stuck to their task and Essex would have been in bigger trouble but for a fine innings from Will Jefferson.

The most encourage aspect from Yorkshire's point of view was the performance of their debutants, Ian Harvey and John Blain.

The other wicket was claimed by Chris Silverwood in a tidy opening spell from the Kirkstall Lane end and the only blot was Steve Kirby bowling six no-balls.

Rain was already in the air when Essex went out to bat and Yorkshire did not have to wait long for a wicket, the first ball of Silverwood's third over edged by Alastair Cook to wicketkeeper Simon Guy who pouched the catch moving in front of first slip.

Jefferson, a batsman of rich England potential, had already off-driven Kirby sweetly for four but he soon lost acting captain Andy Flower when Blain joined the attack and had the left-hander lbw shuffling across his stumps.

Aftab Habib and Jefferson both worked the ball around nicely as they settled into a 49 stand but the ball started to swing about noticeably when Harvey came on. He found the edge of Habib's bat and Matthew Wood took a straightforward catch at first slip.

Habib's dismissal meant he did not profit from an escape off the previous ball, the last of an over from Vic Craven, which went between wicketkeeper and first slip.

Jefferson, who made 41 out of 97 for three in the morning session, moved to his half-century with a gloriously timed boundary through point off Kirby and he stood up straight to drive Harvey through the covers for four.