Emergency fund set up for flood devastation

An emergency fund has been set up to help Yorkshire clubs afflicted by the "unprecedented" level of flooding that has ravaged the north of England.

Following the severe Boxing Day floods across the region, the Yorkshire Cricket Board - in conjunction with the ECB - has set up an emergency fund to support clubs who are affected.

The announcement comes as 500 soldiers have been called up to help with flood rescue across the north, the prime minister, David Cameron, has interrupted his Christmas break to chair a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, and thousands have been made homeless.

Yorkshire have acted rapidly to promise the worst-hit clubs will be supported, symptomatic of an increasingly communal approach that is at the heart of the resurgence which has brought two successive Championship wins.

There are real fears that the damage is so extensive that clubs could go bankrupt unless they receive financial support.

As the ECB draws up a detailed strategy to halt the decline in recreational cricket any loss of cricket grounds would have damaging consequences

Other northern counties have also been hit by the floods - Carlisle CC was one of the first to be badly affected earlier this month - but with the ECB essentially locked down for the festive season, the extent and levels of support remain unclear. Some information is available on the ECB website.

The Yorkshire Cricket Board has asked for information to be sent to Andrew Watson, the board's executive director. Details of the damage should include: