Byas lines up Sidebottom for the chop

Arnie Sidebottom, a fixture at Headingley for almost 30 seasons, is likely to be the first casualty of the regime of David Byas, who took over as Yorkshire's director of cricket on January 1.

Byas, who captained Yorkshire to the 2001 Championship, has been carrying out a survey of staff and facilities since he was appointed last month. Sidebottom, 49, is thought not to be part of Byas's plans despite leading the county's colts to the championship last summer, as well as helping to bring through some of the finest young fast bowling talent in the country.

As a player Sidebottom took 558 first-class wickets in an 18-year career with Yorkshire, before moving seamlessly onto the coaching staff when he retired in 1991.

"This is not a major shock because there have been rumours, but it is disappointing," he told the Huddersfield Daily Examiner. "I've done a good job, we won the title this year and my record in second XI cricket is the best in the country."

Byas refused to confirm the rumours. "I'll announce what I'm going to do when I'm good and ready."