Gough feels the strain

Somerset's Jamie Cox ducks a Gough bouncer

by Yorkshire Post cricket correspondent Robert Mills.

The message came out from Headingley that Darren Gough is innocent.

Yorkshire accepted the England fast bowler's explanation for his appearance in a charity match in Surrey on Sunday while they were losing to Leicestershire in the Norwich Union League.

Although the affair has been brushed aside as a storm in a teacup, it is another sign of a worsening relationship between Yorkshire and its most high-profile player.

Gough has not generally bowled well for Yorkshire on his occasional appearances this season.

He was outstanding in the B&H Cup success over Somerset at Taunton, but flopped in his only appearance Championship appearance to date against the same opponents, when he was outshone by his England colleague Andy Caddick.

And he had humiliating figures of nought for 60 in 10 overs in the C&G Trophy game against Surrey last week.

But it is not only his bowling which has disappointed a section of the club's membership and some figures on the committee.

Training with England

The feeling is that his move to a new house in Buckinghamshire last year is another sign of his decreasing commitment to his native county and has only added to his problems.

This was highlighted when he was left out of the team for last Sunday's game at Scarboroiugh because coach Wayne Clark decided that Gough was too tired and jaded to contemplate a 10-hour round trip from his home to Yorkshire's east coast.

Gough himself has reaffirmed his commitment and has another year of his contract to run but the suspicion is increasing in some quarters that this could be his last season with Yorkshire.

Surrey are the club constantly associated with a move for Gough, much to the irritation of their chief executive Paul Sheldon, and the advent of ECB central contracts makes any such signing a matter of risk since players like Gough are bound to be severaly limited in their county appearances.

His problems this season are compounded by the fact that this is his benefit year, which has reduced his capacity to rest completely.

It has not gone unnoticed by Yorkshire supporters that there are very few events planned in the county as Gough has concentrated on big functions around the country.

Gough made his county debut as a 19-year-old

Some members argue that he has become an expensive luxury which Yorkshire can afford to do without.

But although Gough is obviously one of the best paid players in England, he does not cost Yorkshire all that much as they receive healthy compensation for his services from England.

He is also the key fiugure in the club's marketing drive and for that reason, some leading figures within the club would be loath to lose him.

Gough insists that he wants to see out his contract but admits that criticism of his commitment this year has become so irritating that it might drive him out against his will.

It has become a tricky and embarrassing situation for Yorkshire.

Any other county would be bending over backwards to hold onto England's number one strike bowler but Yorkshire's strength in depth in the pace department means that they can afford to decide whether his output justifies the outlay.

It will be a painful decision.