Byas returns to Headingley, and Harvey signs up

David Byas is to return to Yorkshire as their new director of cricket. Byas, who captained Yorkshire to the County Championship title in 2001, starts in his new role at Headingley on January 1.

Geoff Cope, the former Yorkshire and England offspinner, is to be the director of cricket operations: other coaching roles are to be evaluated by Byas and allocated in the New Year.

Byas, 40, will be making a dramatic return to the county which he left under something of a cloud after that Championship victory in 2001. After being replaced as captain by Darren Lehmann, Byas first retired, then emerged to play for Yorkshire's old rivals Lancashire for the 2002 season. He then retired again, to his farm in Yorkshire.

"I see it as a terrific challenge," said Byas, who has signed a two-year contract. "These sort of opportunities do not come along every day, and I thought it was too good to miss."

Byas's first on-field task will be to oversee a return to the first division of the County Championship. In a rapid fall from grace Yorkshire were relegated at the end of the 2002 season, and narrowly failed to win promotion in 2003.

Yorkshire have also confirmed that Ian Harvey will be their second overseas player for 2004. Harvey, an Australian one-day specialist, has had five seasons with Gloucestershire, and Byas says: "He is a wonderful player and a terrific signing. I look forward to working with him."