ALTHOUGH Yorkshire gained promotion last season, they have not won a Championship match since July 23, and they are determined to end a sequence of one defeat and seven draws against Warwickshire in the game which begins at Edgbaston today.

With bad weather preventing any of their batsmen getting to the crease in the Championship opener at Trent Bridge last week, Yorkshire were yesterday relieved to hear a much better forecast and with it the prospect of mainly uninterrupted play.

The one change in their squad of 12 is paceman Steve Patterson standing down in order to accommodate Australian fast bowler, Jason Gillespie, who is itching to get his Yorkshire debut under way.

The Ashes Test at Edgbaston last year was one of the most thrilling games of cricket ever played and memories will come flooding back for Gillespie on his return to the ground.

"It was a big disappointment for Australia losing by just two runs but it didn't do cricket any harm because interest in the game became huge after that, " said Gillespie.

"It was a match I will never forget - hard fought with plenty of twists and turns.

"But that Ashes series is behind us now and I just want to look forward to a good summer with Yorkshire in which I take lots of wickets. I am not setting myself any targets but I believe that if you enjoy your cricket and have a good time then you will succeed."

Gillespie obviously hopes that some outstanding performances this summer will help him win back his Ashes place in Australia later this year but he's trying to push any such thoughts to the back of his mind.

"I would love to say 'yes, I think I will be picked' because playing for the Ashes again would be awesome but all that is a long way off and I just want to concentrate on doing well for Yorkshire for the time being."

Gillespie, of course, made Test history in Bangladesh last week by becoming the first ever nightwatchman to plunder a double century.

Yorkshire have played Warwickshire in only one season out of the past six in the Championship, and that was four years' ago when they drew at Headingley and lost at Edgbaston by six wickets. Batting first, Warwickshire piled up 601 for nine declared. Yorkshire followed on after making 351, and in their second innings scored 481 but it was not enough to prevent another defeat.

Meanwhile, England captain Michael Vaughan and Yorkshire's South African fast bowler, Deon Kruis, both continue their quest for full fitness under the guidance of physiotherapist, Scott McAllister.

No date has been set for either to return but Kruis has got his sights set on the Championship visit to Kent at Canterbury in a fortnight's time.

Yorkshire (v Warwickshire) from: Wood, Sayers, McGrath, Lumb, Lehmann, White, Brophy, Bresnan, Dawson, Gillespie, Blain, Claydon.