da dobrowin： Just two weeks after enjoying their greatest triumph for 33 years, Yorkshirecricket has been shocked by the announcement that their captain David Byas,is to retire
CricInfo26-Sep-2001
David Byas
Photo © CricInfo
Just two weeks after enjoying their greatest triumph for 33 years, Yorkshirecricket has been shocked by the announcement that their captain David Byas,is to retire.38 year-old Byas, who guided Yorkshire to the CricInfo Championship titleamidst great acclaim, was nearing the end of his playing career, but it wasthought that he would continue for at least another season. However, havingachieved what he wanted, he has decided that the time is right to move on.Speaking to the Yorkshire Post he said, “I have had a wonderful career andplaying cricket for Yorkshire has taken me around the world. I wanted to gowhile I am still at the top. It has been an unforgettable experience and ithas been a great honour to captain the side and to lead the side to thefirst championship title for33 years.”No-one can take that away from me and it will stay with me forever. I amleaving the team at the top and I sincerely hope it goes from strength tostrength from here.”Byas made his debut for Yorkshire in 1986, since when he has scored 14,398runs at an average of 35.37. He was several times spoken of as a potentialTest player, without ever forcing his way into the side.The hunt for a new captain will now begin. Overseas player Darren Lehmann isone possibility, as is Michael Vaughan who attracted much favourable noticewhen leading England A on a tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1998/99, aswell as being a former England Under 19 captain.Vaughan, though, has already been mentioned as a future England captain andit might be considered impractical for him to captain the county whilespending so much of the season away on international duty.Yorkshire will not be rushing to name a successor as the celebrations forthe season just passed have not yet finished. The team has a date inNovember to visit Buckingham Palace – the traditional visit for thechampions to collect the trophy – and Byas will still be in charge on thatoccasion.