SURREY will go into the new cricket season without an overseas player following the news that their provisional signing, Brendon Julian, is in Australia's Ashes tour party.

Dave Gilbert, the Oval cricket manager, said yesterday: ``We feel we pretty much have the squad we need. This decision opens the door for young players like Ben Hollioake and Alex Tudor.''

Yorkshire have also had to rethink their plans, as Michael Slater is in the tour party. They have now signed South Australian Darren Lehmann, a hard-hitting left-handed batsman.

Chris Hassell, Yorkshire's chief executive, said: ``We have a player in Lehmann who is hungry to succeed. He's still on the fringe of international selection and will want to prove himself to his selectors.''

Hassell said the club had a list of alternatives lined up but admitted: ``It might be that without Lehmann we would have gone without an overseas player.''

Waqar Younis, Glamorgan's new signing, has sustained a toe injury during Pakistan's short tour of Sri Lanka. Waqar, who is said to have signed a two-year contract worth around £100,000, was not due to join the county until next month but Glamorgan have asked him to come to Wales as soon as possible in order to judge the extent of the injury. The club hope he will be out of action for a only few days.

Wasim Akram, Pakistan's captain, is also struggling against injury, and Lancashire are likely to be with- out his services for the early part of the season because of shoulder problems.

Champions Leicestershire are still pursuing a number of alternatives if Phil Simmons is called up for West Indies Test duty. Chief executive Tony Norman confirmed that one player being considered was South African quick bowler Lance Klusener, who earlier turned down an approach from Nottinghamshire.