Rock bottom

Yorkshire in 2004 were as out of fashion as Ian Harvey's headband © Getty Images

I have to declare an interest: I have been closely associated with the White Rose county since birth and for 10 years saw every one of their matches, home and away.

Unquestionably this is the worst Yorkshire side I have seen. They lack technique as well as discipline with bat and ball. They are spineless and ill-led and have resorted to that most despicable of actions, blaming others for their shortcomings. Accusing an umpire of bias was shameful and the performance against Durham plumbed the depths of incompetence. In 1983 Yorkshire finished bottom of the table for the only time in their history but that side would have wiped the floor with this one.

The management talk of redeveloping Headingley into a super stadium while the membership is in rapid decline, now down to around 6,500. Little effort has been made to reinforce the squad while Darren Gough, Ryan Sidebottom and now Steven Kirby have been allowed to walk away. The big recruit, Ian Harvey, took seven wickets in seven matches at a cost of over 61 each and averaged 24.81 with the bat. And what does next year hold? The people running this members' club have taken a vow of silence and, while other counties have made clear their plans, Yorkshire appear to have none. It is a shocking state of affairs that shows no signs of improving under the present leadership.

Player of the Year: No one has the right to such a title
High: The semi-finals of the C&G
Low: Too many to pick

This article was first published in the November issue of The Wisden Cricketer.
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