Yorkshire v Durham: Champions by August? Bird gives Yorkshire prediction

"I said before the start of the campaign that they'd finish third," said the legendary umpire during a visit to the press box, "but, from what I've seen, I've been overly pessimistic.

"The question you've got to ask is: who's going to stop them? To be honest, I can't see anyone beating them on current form and I think they'll win it by August."

A draw against defending champions Durham kept Yorkshire top of the First Division with two wins and two draws from their opening four games.

With a quarter of the Championship programme gone, a team tipped by most bookmakers to finish bottom have overturned the form book to raise hopes of a first title since 2001.

Bird's optimism is understandable but everyone at Headingley is keeping their feet on the ground.

Three years ago, Yorkshire won three of their first four games but ended the season in sixth, while their closest rivals this year already have matches in hand. Martyn Moxon, the county's director of professional cricket, said: "Let's see where we are at the end of May after eight matches.

"That's the halfway stage of the Championship season and I think we'll have a much better idea of where we're at then.

"We've shown what we're capable of but no one in the dressing room is getting carried away.

"This is only the start and there's still a long way to go."

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale echoed Moxon's sentiments.

The 26-year-old is enjoying a prolonged honeymoon period but recognises things can change in an eye-blink.

"I'm obviously delighted with the way things are going but four games doesn't make a season," stressed Gale.

"There's plenty of tough games coming up and we've got to continue to work hard.

"A week in professional sport is a long time and things can change quickly.

"We're still a young team and we need to put things into perspective."

Yorkshire's hopes of beating Durham were effectively dashed by a lifeless pitch and inclement weather.

The re-laid surface possessed less life than a cadaver, while only 102 overs were possible on the last two days after the opening 15 days of Yorkshire's campaign had remarkably stayed dry.

After Durham resumed on 215-4 in reply to Yorkshire's 610-6 declared, the visitors' first innings effectively ended on 330-9 with Michael Di Venuto – 108 not out overnight – unable to take any further part due to a back injury.

Tino Best bowled superbly in the unhelpful conditions to capture 4-86 from 22 overs but, after Yorkshire enforced a follow-on, the match fizzled out like a damp firework as Durham reached 46-0 before the heavens opened.

"I was a little bit disappointed with the pitch," admitted Gale. "The surface for our previous game at Headingley against Somerset broke up, but whether we over-prepared this one, I'm not sure.

"There wasn't much pace in it and batsmen could watch the spin off the pitch.

"I've had a chat with the groundsman to see if there's anything we can do about it."

Yorkshire's star performer yesterday was the vivacious Best, who perhaps dropped a little too short on day three but prospered yesterday through a fuller length.

He struck twice in three balls after 15 minutes' play to briefly raise hopes of a dramatic win.

The West Indian bowled Ian Blackwell for 21 and then had Phil Mustard well caught by wicketkeeper Jonathan Bairstow, tumbling to his left.

After both dismissals, Best embarked on a joyous celebration, running off in the direction of square-leg with the air of a man who had won a year's free subscription to the Yorkshire Post.

Signed initially until the end of May, it is probable Best will get his wish to stay for a longer period.

Ryan Harris, the club's first-choice overseas signing, is unlikely to be available due to international commitments, increasing Best's hopes of an extended contract.

A man clearly not given to bouts of insecurity, Best said yesterday that "I thank God every day for blessing Martyn (Moxon) with the insight to sign me."

He added: "I hope that, two or three years down the road, I'll still be playing for Yorkshire."

For his part, Moxon paid tribute to the 28-year-old, who gives the pace attack much-needed edge in the absence of England stars Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad, who are on Twenty20 World Cup duty.

"We've got Tino until the end of May but, if things go well, he could be here for a lot longer," added Moxon.

"He's very enthusiastic and he's got a point to prove – both to the West Indian selectors and the English public.

"It was a slow pitch but Tino still got four wickets and looked very dangerous. He's a great character and we need that in the game."

Yorkshire have named a 13-man squad for tomorrow's CB 40 match against Northamptonshire at Scarborough.

Yorkshire (from): Gale (captain), Rudolph, Lyth, McGrath, Brophy, Rashid, Pyrah, Wainwright, Best, Patterson, Sanderson, Rafiq, Sayers.

Man of the match

Jacques Rudolph

n The dependable South African scored a career-best 228 not out to emphasise his value to the Yorkshire side. Rudolph rated his innings as "possibly my best".