LONDON. May 4: Three of English cricket's senior pros demonstrated their resilience on Friday. Ignoring the chilly temperatures which have accompanied the new county championship season, reports Reuter.

Former Test players Martyn Moxon and Kim Barnett, who have given up the captaincy of Yorkshire and Derbyshire respectively to concentrate on their batting, responded by becoming the first players to register 1996 championship double hundreds.

Moxon reached 213 as he and fellow opener Michael Vaughan put on 362 for the first wicket against Glamorgan. Yorkshire's best partnership for any wicket for over 50 years, lifting his side to a massive 536 for eight declared In Cardiff.

Barnett was in equally good touch, scoring exactly 200 on his 350th first-class appearance for the county, allowing new Derbyshire skipper Dean Jones to declare on 362 for eight against Leicestershire.

Graham Gooch, playing his first first-class innings since being named an England selector. was also swiftly into his stride for Essex. The 42-year old opener launched his 24th county season With 85 off Just 98 balls as Essex reathed 285 for five in reply to Worcestershire's 201 all out.