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Gough quits Headingley

Thursday, January 22 2004

Yorkshire and England seamer Darren Gough has left the Headingley side after 15 years at the White Rose County, citing "family reasons" for his departure.

The Barnsley-born fast bowler made his Yorkshire debut in 1989 and has taken 727 first class wickets at 26.92, with best figures of 7-28.

He starred in England's NatWest Series in Summer 2003, but was dropped for the winter games in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, having retired from Test Cricket with 229 wickets in 56 matches following an unsuccessful comeback against South Africa following the NatWest Series.

Gough's statement - read out by Yorkshire CCC chief executive Colin Graves at a Headingley Press Conference - read, "For family reasons I have today agreed with Yorkshire that after 15 very happy years I will leave the club."

"I am incredibly grateful for the support the club and fans have shown me through my Yorkshire and England career."

"It has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make and I was guided ultimately by the fact that I need to spend less time commuting and more time with my children."

"My definite aim is to continue playing first-class cricket and hopefully regain my one-day international place."

Following the bowler's statement, Graves continued, "We saw a future for him with Yorkshire but Darren sent in his request this morning and we responded accordingly."

"I'm disappointed because Yorkshire has helped him over the last two or three years when he has had difficult times but nobody's going to stand in his way."

"It was not a quick decision. He's had a long time to think about it - we've put no pressure on him."

Yorkshire 'discussed' the chance of Gough taking over captaincy in a bid to keep him on board, however Surrey and Kent are likely to be front-runners for his signature for 2004 - Gough moved to Buckinghamshire four years ago, doing himself little favours with the Yorkshire membership.

Posted by Neil