Cricket

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has appointed Anthony McGrath as their new men's head coach on a five-year deal. McGrath, a former England all-rounder and Yorkshire academy graduate, returns to his home county after a successful stint as director of cricket at Essex.McGrath's coaching career began at Yorkshire following his retirement in 2013. He then moved to Essex in 2014 as assistant coach to Chris Silverwood. Under McGrath's guidance, Essex earned promotion to Division One in 2016 and won the County Championship title the following year.When Silverwood left to become England head coach, McGrath was promoted to head coach. He led Essex to a Championship and T20 Blast double in 2019, followed by the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. In the 2023 season, Essex finished second in Division One and were beaten finalists in the Blast.McGrath inherits a Yorkshire team that has returned to Division One after relegation in 2022. The club was also docked 48 points in the 2023 season for its handling of the racism scandal involving former player Azeem Rafiq.McGrath's remit will be to improve the performance and management of the men's first team. He will officially start his role on November 1."It is a great honor to be appointed Head Coach of Yorkshire Cricket's Men's team," McGrath said. "I know the history of this great club and the passion of the members and supporters, and I am absolutely determined to develop a team capable of delivering the success they deserve."Essex captain Tom Westley praised McGrath as "one of the most influential figures I have come across during my career."Yorkshire's interim CEO, Sanjay Patel, said: "We're delighted to appoint Anthony as Head Coach. During the past nine years with Essex, Anthony has proved himself to be one of the most exciting and successful coaches in English cricket."

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has appointed Mitesh Velani as its new Chief Financial and Operations Officer, effective September 16. Velani joins Yorkshire from Saracens, where he held various leadership roles, including Finance Director and Chief Executive.Velani's appointment comes amidst significant changes at Yorkshire, both on and off the field. The club is currently searching for a new Director of Cricket and Head Coach, and is also considering demutualization, which would require a 75% vote from members.Velani's experience at Saracens, which was fined and docked points for breaching the English Premiership's salary cap, has been noted by Yorkshire. However, the club has emphasized Velani's contributions to Saracens' success, including "transformation and innovation" during a decade of sustained success.Velani expressed his excitement about joining Yorkshire, stating his intention to "use everything I have learned to help support Yorkshire at this exciting time." He aims to "deliver success at Headingley and produce exceptional results, underpinned by robust commercial foundations."Yorkshire also announced the appointment of Sanjay Patel as Interim Chief Executive, effective next month. Patel, who was instrumental in the creation of The Hundred, will join Yorkshire's board, which has been led by Colin Graves since February.Graves has been vocal about the need for demutualization, citing financial concerns and the interest of potential investors. He has stated that "Yorkshire's going to fall into these financial problems time and time again" if members do not vote in favor of demutualization.Yorkshire's recent appointments signal a period of transition and ambition for the club. Velani and Patel bring a wealth of experience and expertise, and their contributions will be crucial as Yorkshire navigates its current challenges and strives for future success.

Yorkshire's inclusion in the Tier 1 women's cricket competition in 2026 is a significant development for the county and the sport as a whole. The decision, which was initially met with criticism, has been welcomed by players, fans, and administrators alike.Yorkshire's omission from the inaugural year of the competition in 2025 was met with widespread disappointment. The county has a rich history in women's cricket, with 313 women's and girl's teams within its borders. The presence of the Northern Diamonds, a successful regional team based at Headingley, further strengthened Yorkshire's case for inclusion.The ECB's decision to reconsider Yorkshire's application was influenced by several factors. The impact on the Northern Diamonds' playing squad was a major concern, with players expressing their unease at the prospect of relocation. Additionally, the ECB recognized the strength of Yorkshire's bid and its commitment to developing women's cricket in the county.Yorkshire's elevation to Tier 1 will come with increased funding of £1.5 million per year from 2026. However, the club must meet certain conditions relating to governance, strategy, and finance. This is in light of Yorkshire's ongoing financial challenges, with debts currently in the region of £20 million.The new women's cricket structure will consist of three tiers, with no promotion or relegation for the first four seasons. This will provide stability for teams and allow them to focus on developing their talent pathways and building competitive squads.The inclusion of Yorkshire in Tier 1 is a positive step for women's cricket in England. It will provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and inspire future generations. The increased funding and support will also help to raise the profile of the women's game and attract new fans.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club's financial woes have reached a critical juncture, prompting chairman Colin Graves to propose a radical solution: demutualization. This move would convert the club from a member-owned structure to a private entity, opening the door to outside investment.Graves, who previously rescued Yorkshire from bankruptcy in 2002, has warned that the club faces "fighting for its survival" in 2024 without immediate action. The club's latest financial results reveal a trading loss of £2.7 million in 2023, with exceptional expenses related to the racism scandal contributing significantly.Despite hosting a lucrative Ashes Test in 2023, Yorkshire's accumulated losses now exceed £9 million. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of scheduled men's Tests at Headingley in 2024, 2027, and 2028, which Graves has termed "double fallow" years.Graves initially ruled out demutualization but has since acknowledged its necessity. The club's current status as a mutual society has hindered its ability to attract private financing. Demutualization would unlock this potential, allowing Yorkshire to invest in its future and become self-sustaining.The process of demutualization requires the approval of at least 50% of Yorkshire's 6,000 voting members, with a 75% majority required for implementation. Graves has emphasized that members' rights will be protected and that the club's interaction with them will remain unchanged.The move towards demutualization has been seen in other English cricket counties, including Hampshire, Northamptonshire, and Durham. It aligns with the ECB's discussions on the future of the Hundred, where Headingley is the host venue for Northern Superchargers.

Lauren Winfield-Hill, the England batter and Northern Diamonds stalwart, has expressed concerns over the ECB's decision to defer Yorkshire's entry into Tier 1 of the new women's domestic competition. The move, which will see Durham host the northern-most region from 2025 onwards, has raised questions about the future of women's cricket in Yorkshire.Winfield-Hill, who has been a key figure for the Diamonds, believes the decision could have detrimental effects on the county's women's cricket program. With the majority of Diamonds players based in and around Leeds, the prospect of relocation or lengthy commutes could discourage participation."The general feeling was just unsettled," Winfield-Hill said. "Northern Diamonds is Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, but in terms of our host, 80 percent of our cricket has been Yorkshire."The ECB has stated that Yorkshire's entry into Tier 1 was delayed due to the county's ongoing racism scandal. However, Winfield-Hill believes the decision could have wider implications for the development of women's cricket in the region."I'm not necessarily concerned cricket-wise, because I've probably done enough, at that level, to be valued in most teams," she said. "But if you look at some of the youngsters, like Katherine Fraser, who moved to Leeds University because she wanted to get her education as well as pursue cricket, the landscape changes, doesn't it?"Winfield-Hill also raised concerns about the practicalities of the decision. With Yorkshire's entry delayed by two years, players may face difficult choices regarding their future."Using Katherine Fraser as an example, do you forego a professional contract for the next couple of years and wait for Yorkshire to be a Tier 1 county? Or if you're looking at a relocation, do you go for three or four years, or do you want to come back?" she said.The decision has also raised questions about the competitiveness of the new competition. With Yorkshire and Glamorgan joining Tier 1 in 2027, there are concerns that the two teams may struggle to build competitive squads due to the delayed entry."The last thing you want is two teams that are hampered because they're late to the party," Winfield-Hill said.Overall, Winfield-Hill believes the ECB's decision could have significant consequences for women's cricket in Yorkshire and the wider domestic competition. She urged the governing body to reconsider the decision and ensure that the future of women's cricket in the region is protected.

Harry Brook, the rising star of English cricket, has dedicated his impressive performances this summer to his late grandmother, Pauline Brook. Pauline, who passed away in March, was a constant presence in her grandson's career, becoming a beloved figure within the cricket community.Brook's decision to withdraw from England's Test tour of India and the Indian Premier League was a testament to the close bond he shared with his grandmother. After her passing, he returned to action with Yorkshire, scoring an emotional century against Leicestershire in his first match since July 2022.Speaking publicly for the first time since Pauline's death, Brook expressed his gratitude for the time he had with her before her condition deteriorated. He dedicated both his centuries for Yorkshire this season to her memory, acknowledging the profound impact she had on his life."When I came home from Abu Dhabi, it was a very tough time," Brook said. "I'm glad I did come home. She would have come out there a couple of years ago, so I had to come back and support her as much as I could."Brook's performances have not only been a tribute to his grandmother but also a testament to his resilience and determination. He is set to join England for their T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, where he will be a key figure in their title defense."I'm looking forward to it, if selected," Brook said of the World Cup. "We join up at the end of next month. I'm looking forward to being back with the lads and hopefully producing the goods for England again."Brook's story is a reminder of the power of family and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones. His performances this summer are a testament to his talent, dedication, and the unwavering support of those who have shaped his journey.

Darren Gough, the former Yorkshire and England fast bowler, has stepped down as the club's managing director of cricket after two seasons in the role. Gough took on the position in an interim capacity in December 2021, following the Azeem Rafiq racism crisis that led to the departure of several senior figures at the club.During his tenure, Gough oversaw the appointment of Ottis Gibson as head coach and implemented a number of changes to the playing squad as Yorkshire sought to rebuild. He also played a key role in the development of the club's performance pathway and the growth of the women's game."It's been an absolute honor to work for my boyhood club over the last two seasons," Gough said. "Having stepped in at a very challenging time, we've worked hard to steady the ship and develop our cricket department to ensure we can return to the top tier of English cricket.""In my time here, we have achieved a great deal that I am proud of. The men's squad has been totally rebuilt with significant improvements behind the scenes across all support areas. This has put both the men's team and the Northern Diamonds in a much better place to be able to compete going forward.""The performance pathway is thriving and continues to lead the way nationally, and there is a real energy around what is happening with the Women's game and the next few years will be transformational I'm sure.""Following conversations with the club, I have decided now is the right time to step away from my role and give someone else an opportunity to take our playing squads forward. I'd like to thank all of our players, staff, members, and fans for their considerable support over the last few seasons and wish them all the very best for the coming year.""I will always be a Yorkshire Cricket supporter and look forward to returning to watch our teams in the coming years."Stephen Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer for YCCC, said: "It's been an absolute pleasure to work with Darren since taking on this role.""The contribution he has made to stabilize the Club and drive our playing squads forward has been critical and, I know that, as a Yorkshireman who lives and breathes this Club, he has been so proud to carry out the role.""The work that Darren has done over the last two seasons has built some fantastic foundations and we are very grateful for his time, commitment, and the manner in which he has set about his role."Colin Graves, Chair of YCCC, said: "I'd like to express our sincere thanks to Darren for the work he has put in over the last few seasons.""Darren is a club legend in his own right, having enjoyed two very successful stints as a player here and now helped us through some very difficult times in his role as managing director of cricket. Everyone at the club would like to wish him all the best for the future, and we look forward to welcoming him back to Headingley again soon."