Yorkshire today make their first ever visit to Hampshire's new Rose Bowl ground still clinging to the hope that they can avoid relegation to the Second Division of the Frizzell County Championship.

But they are very much aware that they have only a slender chance of closing the 29.5 gap between themselves and Leicestershire, who are just outside the three relegation places.

Hampshire, however, are third from the bottom and have played a game more than Yorkshire who know that nothing short of a win will do for the County Champions.

A positive result is likely because pitches have yet to settle in at the Rose Bowl and Hampshire have already had eight points deducted for preparing a poor pitch against Lancashire when they also went on to lose the match.

Lancashire can do Yorkshire a big favour at Blackpool over the next few days by overpowering second from the bottom Somerset. As well as keeping them in the relegation zone it would further damage their morale ahead of Saturday's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy final between Yorkshire and Somerset at Lord's.

Like Yorkshire, little has gone right for Somerset this season, apart from reaching the C&G final, and Sunday's eight wicket beating by Warwickshire condemned them to relegation in the Norwich Union League.

Saturday's final, therefore, is of massive importance to both sides and Yorkshire should start out as favourites, particularly if Craig White is able to take part solely as a batsman.

White, who has not played since the second Test at Trent Bridge because of a side strain, will join Yorkshire in Southampton later this week for net practices.

It had originally been hoped to play him against Hampshire but now it has been decided to assess his fitness after a few warm-up knocks.