Yorkshire captain Darren Gough expects the England and Wales Cricket Board to allow Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard to play for their county in the Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston starting on Friday, writes DAVID WARNER.

The change of heart is likely to come about because the England captain and his leading strike bowler are desperately short of match practice ahead of the first Test against India which starts at Lord's next Thursday.

Both were inactive again at Old Trafford yesterday on the second day of the Roses match when further torrential downpours prevented the game from getting underway.

The ECB originally stated Vaughan and Hoggard would only be available for the Roses match, but a spokesman yesterday said there was every chance the pair would be allowed to play against Warwickshire.

Gough was certainly of that opinion as soon as umpires Neil Mallender and Trevor Jesty had abandoned play for the day shortly after an early lunch.

"It is good news for all concerned and the fans will welcome the opportunity of seeing Test cricketers playing for their counties," said Gough.

Gough was disappointed the weather had robbed the Roses match of its first two days and stressed both he and Lancashire captain Mark Chilton were eager to get started.

"There is absolutely nothing we could have done either on Sunday or yesterday because the ground was so wet the water was coming over our shoes when we were out there," he said.

England announce their initial 25-strong squad for the Twenty20 World Cup tomorrow and Gough said that Tim Bresnan had been in his own list of 14 players which he had compiled.

"Tim struggled in the early Yorkshire Twenty20 matches when he was bowling at the back end but when he started opening he did a decent job," said Gough.

"He has lost some of his confidence over the past 12 months but will build it up again by bowling yorkers. When he is on form he is very good indeed."

Vaughan also stressed yesterday that he still has ambitions to win back his England one-day place.

"I am looking forward to getting some good scores for Yorkshire in their Pro40 matches and hopefully I will then get chosen for England again," said the England Test skipper.