Barnsley

Oakland Athletics vice-president Billy Beane is reportedly part of a group of investors, headed by Chinese billionaire Chien Lee, which is set to take over Championship club Barnsley. 

That's according to Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror, who reports the deal will be worth roughly £20 million.

Beane―who currently owns a minority stake in the A's―is perhaps best known for his time as general manager in Oakland, where he played an instrumental role in the spread of sabermetrics in modern baseball.

English fans may be more familiar with Beane from the film Moneyball, which chronicled that period and where he was played by Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt.

According to the report, the investors will purchase 98.5 percent of Barnsley, a club from South Yorkshire which currently sits in the middle of the Championship table. The Tykes won the Football League Trophy in 2016 and have bounced between the Championship and League One in recent years.

As reported by BBC Sport, the club's current owner Patrick Cryne is terminally ill, describing his battle with cancer as "living on borrowed time" in a recent letter to fans.

Barnsley hamster casual at Walsall away yesterday, looking forward to @VillaMouse taking him on next season. #avfc pic.twitter.com/AqupxHXUel

— My Old Man Said (@oldmansaid) March 6, 2016

"He's got a hamster in his hood."

Barnsley fans certainly seemed to enjoy a new addition to their traveling army at Walsall on Saturday, but not everybody was impressed. 

One supporter decided to bring his pet hamster to the game, but the move was criticised by both the RSPCA and the National Hamster Council.

Sara Howlett of the RSPCA told The Independent:

Taking any animal to a noisy, crowded environment such as a football match is likely to be stressful.

This is particularly the case for hamsters which are nocturnal animals that spend most of the day sleeping and become active in the evening and at night. Being taken away from its home environment in the daytime and having its routine disturbed in this way, especially at the time of year when some hamsters hibernate, would be extremely stressful for this poor animal.

Rosie Ray of the National Hamster Council added, "a noisy football league match is no place for any pet."

People at the game told the newspaper the hamster, apparently called Hector, seemed to enjoy the experience. 

However, maybe he is a particularly tough little guy, and hopefully a new trend of bringing small pets to games does not take off. 

[The Independent]

The race for the Premier League came to an astonishing end on Saturday when Hull City pipped Watford to join Cardiff City in the automatic promotion slots from the Championship.

Steve Bruce's team were forced to wait an agonising 15 minutes after their 2-2 draw with Cardiff at the KC Stadium to discover their fate with Watford's game delayed due to a serious neck injury to their goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, who replaced first-choice keeper Manuel Almunia before the kickoff.

Watford were drawing 1-1 with Leeds United at Vicarage Road and needed a win to overtake Hull on the final day. But a Leeds counterattack saw Ross McCormack race clear.

The former Rangers striker saw inexperienced Watford substitute goalkeeper Jack Bonham, 19, off his line and attempted to chip him. The teenager, who was making an unexpected debut, could not hold the ball and Leeds won 2-1 and Hull were promoted and Watford left in the playoffs.

At the foot of the Championship table, the movements throughout the game were multifold. Wolves were relegated as they went two down at Brighton, but Peterborough, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall were all in danger of joining them.

Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield and Barnsley were drawing 2-2 at the John Smith's Stadium but David Flitcroft's Oakwell side were in the bottom three with Peterborough level with Crystal Palace by the same scoreline.

However, Mile Jedinak headed home a late winner for Palace at Selhurst Park, which meant Peterborough dropped into the relegation zone.

News of that goal filtered through to Huddersfield, where next week's FA Cup Final referee Andre Marriner signalled five minutes of injury time.

However, that produced one of the strangest sights at a football ground this season. With his team safe from the spectre of relegation, Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele collected the ball from long punt from the Huddersfield defence.

The 28-year-old, who was born in Peterborough, then refused to pass the ball and simply dribbled with it back and forth across his own penalty area for 80 seconds until Marriner blew his whistle to signal the end of the game.

Manchester City was expected to dominate its FA Cup matchup with Championship side Barnsley, and the reigning English Premier League champions did not disappoint en route to a 5-0 victory. 

Despite playing a team from a lower division, Roberto Mancini had no plans of letting his best chance at a trophy slip away and fielded a competitive side that included several of the team's stars. 

None made more of an impact than Carlos Tevez, who scored a hat-trick and had two assists after coming into the match with controversy hanging over his head. The Argentine star faces jail time after being arrested for driving without a license, as The Guardian's Daniel Taylor and Jamie Jackson reported.  

City showed true class in this performance, maintaining an impressive amount of possession in front of Barnsley's goal and forcing the visitors to constantly chase the ball. The pace and accuracy of the Citizens' passing was superb and led to several golden opportunities for Tevez. 

The Argentine completed his hat-trick just five minutes into the second half, with Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva scoring the other two goals. Barnsley had a few decent chances in the final 40 minutes, but this was ultimately a dominant performance from Manchester City. 

Grades

Carlos Tevez, Manchester City: A+

The beauty of Tevez's hat-trick is how little work he had to do in order to get his three goals. City's performance was about spacing and possession, and Tevez provided the clearest example of how organized the team was. 

City moved the ball from one side of the pitch to other with quick passes while players off the ball made intelligent runs. Tevez was in the right place to knock the ball into the net three times, showing that he knew exactly where he wanted to be throughout this match. 

Chris Dagnall, Barnsley: C-

Dagnall was the man Barnsley was counting on the grab a goal in this game, but he was not a factor in this match. 

With Barnsley facing a massive talent deficit, Dagnall knew he would have to deliver a fantastic individual performance as the rest of his teammates would need to focus primarily on defensive duties. He had a tough task today and did not deliver, which caused him to be taken off after just 50 minutes. 

Yaya Toure, Manchester City: A

The key to City's smooth passing in this match was the big man in the middle. There is no other central midfielder in the England who can impact a game in so many different ways. 

He is a remarkably intelligent and creative distributor, a brilliant finisher and has the pace to make piercing runs forward. But it was his ability to maintain City's shape and put players into dangerous positions that stood out in this fixture. 

Ryan Tunnicliffe, Barnsley: C+

Tunnicliffe had added motivation to orchestrate an upset as he is on loan from Manchester United. But the Barnsley midfield was overrun in this match, and the youngster was lost for most of the contest. 

He had a few promising moments after City had already taken a commanding lead, but ultimately, he and the rest of the Barnsley squad had a day to forget. 

David Silva, Manchester City: A

It is easy for teams to play down to their competition in a match like this, but Silva followed Tevez and Toure's lead in maintaining possession, moving the ball around the pitch and playing clever balls forward. 

He deservedly got his name on the scoresheet just before he was given the rest of the night off. 

What's Next

Manchester City is through to the semifinals of the FA Cup and Barnsley's run in the tournament is now over. 

City will return to Premier League action next weekend against Everton while Barnsley will head back to the Championship to play Brighton on Tuesday.

Many of you have watched games and have been suddenly pierced by an evil chant, a taunt or a gesture coming from opposition fans. Situations like Samuel Eto'o leaving the pitch while playing for Barcelona due to racial slurs and Rio Ferdinand claiming that the black English players were hearing monkey chants among many others. 

Although these moments are disgusting, and drag the sport back a few years, what allegedly happened at the npower Championship (League under EPL) tie on January 2, goes even a little bit deeper. It evolves many common motifs in the modern game—players being cultural property being one, and the power of social media, being the other. 

Billy Sharp, a well-known campaigner in the Championship, with a fine goalscoring record to go with it, lost a two-day-old child in October. The Doncaster Rovers (Sharp's team) fans have claimed that chants of "Where's your baby gone?" were heard in the stadium, while Sharpe went about his business on the field in a league tie against Barnsley.

Per The Daily Mail, the allegations first surfaced on social media outlet, Twitter.

They have since gone on to Facebook, where this chain mail has been passed around:

Barnsley, full of tramps and absolutely disgusting football fans. At there game against Doncaster Rovers, Barnsley fans were chanting 'where's your baby gone', to Billy Sharp who tragically lost a child not so long ago. If you want to show respect for him and his family then post this on your wall as a status. Even if you don't support a team. Kick these disgraceful (expletive) out of football and punish them by embarrassing them all over the UK,Ireland and hopefully the world. Copy and paste this as your status to show respect for Billy Sharp!!...........pure (expletive) disgrace those fans should be ashamed of themselves!

Barnsley deny the allegations, calling them "Twittergations" and their chairman has made a statement saying he was at the match and heard no such chants. 

Billy Sharp made a statement highlighting that he did not hear any such chant, but the fact that this is all being brought up again must be a terrible ordeal for the 25-year-old. 

I think that if such chants did occur, then all parties involved in the hateful jeers deserve prison time. 

Every football player, especially those of whom not playing in the big stages of their domestic game, should be respected when going to work, earning their money. This is a direct violation of Sharp's human rights, and regardless of the age of the guilty parties, they need to be taught right from wrong, and making an example out of them will send a message to world football.

Sheffield United’s Captain Chris Morgan may be in a bit of bother as he his reckless challenge on Iain Hume has left the striker with a fractured skull and internal bleeding.

Barnsley are consulting their lawyers and considering legal action.

Hume, 25, has just recently been moved out of a high dependency unit in hospital after undergoing a very serious operation.

Morgan was only initially booked for the challenge but replays show a clear indication that the Sheffield United defender forcefully used an elbow whilst challenging for a header with Hume. This caused an angry reaction from Barnsley’s manager Simon Davey as he deemed the incident worthy of a straight red card.

Referee Andy D’Urso has been heavily criticised, Davey and assistant Ryan Kidd approached him at half time over Hume’s treatment by the Blades. D’Urso was a Premier League verified referee and this display adds to the poor refereeing currently in the Championship.

Stuart Atwell’s performances for the Reading v Watford and the Nottingham Forest v Derby County games were very much questionable.

In the Reading v Watford game, he gave a goal that clearly went a yard wide and gave a poor penalty decision at the end of the Nigel Clough Trophy game.

We can only hope the ex-Leicester City man can make a speedy recovery to this horrid, unusual injury.

The Blades have sent their sympathy, they are known to be "saddened" and "concerned" regarding Hume being monitored in a high dependency unit. They are clearly disgruntled and the threat of legal action hovering over the club and Morgan is certainly worrying.

United sit in a healthy position of fourth position and if the League hands further punishment to Morgan they would lose one of their stronger players. As for Barnsley, they will be missing a vital striker for a significant amount of time as they look to race clear of the relegation zone.

The show kicked-off with Sheffield United midfielder Brian Howard dropping in for a chat with Max and Helen, talking about the banter in the Blades dressing room and last season’s incredible FA Cup run with Barnsley. They were joined by Olympic swimmer Mark Foster who gave a visual performance of how to do the butterfly stroke before taking about his life in the pool.

(Was it just me, or did other people both guests were showing just a little too much bare chest?)

The final guest was Southampton fan Craig David, who talked about the music industry and his latest album.

The usual features all were present including the Armed Forces, Iron Man, This is my Club - Blackburn (with former Rovers striker Kevin Gallagher), MMS, Skill Skool, Crossbar Challenge, Tubes (who screwed up his lryics) and Soccerette.

Queens Park Rangers VS Barnsley.

Last season Barnsley surprised everyone with a spectacular FA Cup winning streak that included the giant killings of Chelsea and Liverpool.

This time around, despite playing arguably better football, with slicker passing and a great goal scored after 5 minutes, by Iain Hume, Barnsley were undone by their inability to defend set pieces, and QPR's determination.

The side, managed by Iain Dowie, has seen many changes this summer, with expensive signings and intense pre-season training, and it showed. QPR may have been so to start, and on the back foot for most of the first half, but their quality and dedication shined though when Emmanuel Ledesma's free-kick in the 29^th minute hit the back of the net – a great strike that levelled the terms for the home side.

Less than two minutes later he met with Cook's corner and took QPR ahead.

Barnsley refused to give in and arguably had the better game from then of – the second half has been described by enough people as “one sided” - in this case, Barnsley played hard and fast, but were undone when Van Homoet was sent off in the 83^rd minute – a regrettable action for his club that may have lost his side a crucial point at the start of the season.

The performances of the two teams bodes well for their future in this league.

Final Score: Queens Park Rangers 2 – 1 Barnsley.

Birmingham City VS Sheffield United.

Kevin Philips was the man of the hour with a very late strike to give his new side, Birmingham, all three points.

Taylor, the United keeper, had been tested several times throughout the match as the two teams battled their way through a gritty 90 minutes, and was only beaten when substitute Philips turned and shot – an impressive finish that should remind the naysayers that this player once won a golden boot in the top division not too long ago.

It was a devastating loss for Sheffield, still adjusting to life outside the top flight after a year, but Birmingham fans can be rightly proud of their team's determined performance, which was Premier League class – will they get back there? A question to be looked at later in the season.

Final Score: Birmingham City 1 – 0 Sheffield United.

Blackpool VS Bristol City

Last season I made the trip up to Blackpool VS Charlton and was rightly surprised (unpleasantly, for Charlton lost!) by how hard working they are. That time, they were rewarded, this time however a well deserved point became a devastating loss with a Bristol City strike in the last minute of the match.

It fell to Bristol City substitute Steve Brooker to nick the points for City, having replaced Dele Adebola in the 80^th minute.

It was suggested last season that Blackpool would be relegated instantly – happily this was not the case, and the plucky club are still around to punch above their weight. It was a blow yesterday, but with performances like that, it's this writer's opinion that the Blackpool fans may have more to look forward to than a relegation struggle.

Final Score: Blackpool 0 – 1 Burnley.

Sheffield Wednesday VS Burnley

Sheffield Wednesday's demolition of Burnley shows what can be done when you acquire some decent strikers to balance out an already strong squad. Marcus Tudgay and Akpo Sodje scored two goals each, firmly putting Wednesday on the top of the table this weekend.

Tudgay put the Owls ahead in the first minute, Sodje doubling the lead less than three minutes later, whereas it fell to débutante Martin Paterson to score for Burnley with a near-post header, but it was short lived: Sodje restored Wednesday's two-goal lead within the first twenty minutes.

The two teams were working hard, and it could have gone sour for Wednesday when Sodje, injured, limped off, but Tudgay killed the game off in the 65^th minute with a devilishly powerful finish.

Final Score: Sheffield Wednesday 4 - 1 Burnley.

Cardiff City VS Southampton

Last gasp winners are becoming something of a habit in the Championship, and it was Roger Johnson's last gasp shot that won Cardiff City their first home match of the year. They had been ahead 1-0 in the first half but a strike by David McGoldrick levelled things up just before the half-time whistle blew.

Cardiff were the valiant losers in the FA Cup last year, and have played some magnificent football over the last year. It looks as if that is set to continue. Southampton, on the other hand, look tired already. A tough year ahead for the saints, in this writer's opinion.

Final Score: Cardiff City 2 – 1 Southampton.

Charlton Athletic VS Swansea City

It was not a happy Valley yesterday afternoon before kickoff, the Charlton faithful are reeling from a summer of senior players upping and leaving, and the news that Zheng Zi, the china midfielder that the Addicks have cherished for the last two years – is to leave? Left an already damp and grey Valley in an even worse mood.

Thank goodness then, for Mark Hudson, newly made captain – who scored in the second minute to rapturous applause and cheering from the Charlton faithful.

Swansea's day was only going to get worse: the pitch conditions were not perfect and both teams slipped their way through challenges and some frankly dreadful refereeing decisions. One decision that was spot on was the sending of Swansea Captain Monk, for a dangerous challenge in wet weather on Charlton Stalwart Matt Holland. Described as “harsh” by other viewers, having seen the footage several times over it is clear his studs were up and in no way going for the ball. Swansea's bad day was complete when Andy Gray, on a grey day himself with some shoddy play, finally netted a goal in the 85^th minute.

Swansea look set to struggle, and Charlton's lightweight squad doesn't bode well for the rest of the season, but neither look in immediate danger of relegation just yet!

Final score: Charlton 2 – 0 Swansea.

Coventry City VS Norwich City

It seems like only a few months ago (and it was!) that I watched a Coventry side be defeated emphatically by a Charlton side with nothing to play for. Despite the loss, Coventry stayed up and at the time I questioned how much longer they'd stay in this league.

With a performance like that yesterday, I think Coventry City fans may have a little more hope this year. Norwich on the other hand, despite an acrobatic display from John Kennedy, looked like starting the year as they finished last season.

A penalty by Elliot Ward put Coventry ahead and it fell to Leon Mackenzie to wrap things up in the 86^th minute.

Final Score: Coventry City 2 – 0 Norwich City.

Crystal Palace VS Watford

Watford and Crystal Palace shared a rather dull match in which two very good sides effectively nullified each others chances. Moses of Palace wasted a few shots, as did Tommy Smith of Watford, but other than that it was a game with not much going on. There was a fantastic moment, when Jobi McAnuff shot for goal, and Speroni moved, panther like, to save: a magnificent save that gets my vote as the moment of the week.

That and Neil Warnock's interview post-match, in which he was heard to utter: "I thought it was just two professional sides who have cancelled each other out. I thought we look more likely to score more in the first half but they had more of the possession with the system that they played”. I couldn't agree more with that summation.

Final Score: Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Watford.

Derby County VS Doncaster Rovers

They have followed obediently like sheep, they have not questioned or moaned when things didn't go their way – and yesterday the fans of the rams hit back, booing a frankly toothless and pathetic performance that should start the alarm bells ringing already. The “new look” Derby lost 1-0 to a spirited Doncaster side that look very comfortable when going forward – although it did take them an hour to score, Lewis Guy putting them ahead.

Paul Jewell's refusal to panic is commendable, but many of the other teams in the Championship are “new look” sides and certainly did not have the problems his side have – such as missing open goals, and failing to pass proficiently.

Rightly booed off the pitch, Derby have a lot to answer for after being relegated in such a manner last year – and if they do not improve? To quote Jewell, “We had seven players making their début and it showed. It is not a crisis losing after one game” - and this writer expects Jewell to be saying something very similar in ten games time.

Final Score: Derby County 0 – 1 Doncaster Rovers.

Ipswich Town VS Preston North End

The tractor boys opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute with ex-Charlton Athletic striker Kevin Lisbie (most memorable for his hat trick against Liverpool some years ago). They were ultimately to lose to a fantastic performance from the North Enders, who hit back with a lightning bolt from captain Paul Mckenna in the 21^st minute, and a tap in from Simon Whaley in the 34^th minute.

The two teams were very professional last year, both playing at times magnificent football, and other times, dire football. Ipswich's high scoring matches last year instantly come to this writer's minds – more fluidity required this time around, but both teams have decent squads, and the Ipswich town fans should not feel too disappointed – yes, it is a defeat, but is an educational defeat. Some sloppy play fifteen minutes from the first goal lost them the match, but they played well from then on.

As for Preston – a great start to the year. May it continue.

Final Score: Ipswich Town 1 – 2 Preston North End.

Plymouth VS Wolverhampton Wanderers

Late equalisers are in full force this week, as Plymouth met the boys from Wolverhampton – an early 7^th minute goal from Rory Fallon of Plymouth opened the proceedings.

Less than ten minutes later, Wolves equalised with Kightly volley from a Foley cross, and the game was on – the two teams wrestled with each other, wolves baying at the penalty area, and Plymouth sailing through the centre spot every so often – this was the best end to end game of the day, by no means one sided and a great example of two Championship clubs that I fully expect to be pushing for automatic promotion.

McCarthy's Wolves might have clinched it when they equalised in the 78^th minute after a Michael Seip close range shot for Plymouth in the 55^th minute, but the two teams were well matched defensively in the closing stages, and the score was a thoroughly deserved 2-2 and the spoils shared.

Final Score: Plymouth 2 – 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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Final Say:

Just two things: one, it's far too quiet in the West Stand at Charlton Athletic. It is not a library! Make some noise, Addicks!

Secondly: It's great to have real football back – three months is far too long to wait!

			| Home					| Away
	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Sheff Wed	1	1	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
2	Charlton	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3
3	Coventry	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3
4	Cardiff	1	1	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3
5	Preston	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	1	1	3
6	QPR	1	1	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3
7	Birmingham	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3
8	Bristol City	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
9	Doncaster	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
10	Plymouth	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
11	Wolverhampton	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	2	0	1
12	Crystal Palace	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
13	Watford	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
14	Nottm Forest	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15	Reading	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
16	Barnsley	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0
17	Ipswich	1	0	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	-1	0
18	Southampton	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0
19	Blackpool	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	-1	0
20	Derby	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	-1	0
21	Sheff Utd	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	-1	0
22	Norwich	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	-2	0
23	Swansea	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	-2	0
24	Burnley	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	-3	0

Yorkshire Cricket has struggled for many years now to come out of the dusty shadows left lingering behind by the greats that have graced Headingley over the past decades - Wilfred Rhodes, Herbert Sutcliffe, Freddy Trueman, Brian Close and the like.  

The county's 2001 County Championship triumph - which was quickly forgotten following their relegation the following season - has been the only moment of triumph to saviour for those long-suffering die-hard 'Yorkies'. 

The White Rose has at the moment of blossoming been spiked by a thorn all too often. This thorn has largely taken the shape of in- quarrelling and financial hardship.

Nevertheless, the next few summers should see the White Rose in all of its blooming splendour.

What has changed? Why is their cause for optimism? Why is this optimism of a different, more substantial nature to that felt before?

Firstly, the club is moving forward financially. The nonsensical nostalgia has subsided and been replaced with efficient management and a reasonable vision of the future. 

The £30 million acquisition and re-development of Headingley Carnegie - a ground which is now under sustainable joint management with the rugby club and which will fulfil a more multi-functional and versatile role in the local and national social, academic and sporting communities - is paramount to the success of the cricket side.

Membership numbers have also risen significantly thanks largely to a freeze in season ticket prices and the acute Mynahs Club, a youth scheme which welcomes local youngsters into the game through numerous offers and schemes that represent excellent long and short-term value. 

Financial stability is now a real prospect for the club's administrators.

Much of the praise must be directed towards Stewart Reagan, the club's chief executive. The 43-year old former director of the Football League Championship has not only overseen the changes to Yorkshire CCC's spiritual home but is also a big reason for the recent overhaul of the playing and coaching staff and resources.

He ensured, for instance, that Yorkshire came out of a very challenging and uncertain off-season in 2006-07 which saw Chris Adams turn his back on the position of captain, key batsman Anthony McGrath threaten to leave and promising youngster Michael Lumb sign for Hampshire.

Just when Yorkshire fans had all but lost any hope of progress and achievement, Reagan pulled off three huge coups in quick succession.

Firstly, he appointed Durham's promising coach Martyn Moxon as head cricket coach. Secondly, he persuaded Barnsley-born England legend Darren Gough to return to his boyhood club as captain. Thirdly - and somewhat controversially - he signed up South African international batsman Jacques Rudolph as a Kolpak player.

A hugely encouraging yet ultimately, in the circumstances, disappointing season culminated in a respectable 6th-placed finish despite the team having lead the championship into April. 

Perhaps the most important and exciting discovery was not the team's spirit and resolve but the emergence of spin sensation Adil Rashid (pictured) who took more than 40 wickets with his leg spinners and averaged upwards of 30 with the bat at 7.

This season, the team has consolidated these foudations with some impressive bowling displays and whilst Adil Rashid has disappointed with the ball and Joe Sayers is hopelessly out of form, other youngsters such as Tim Bresnan, all-rounder Richard Pyrah and opening batsman Andrew Gale have made a name for themselves.

17-year old spinner Azeem Rafiq has recently made his first-team debut in a crunch Twenty20 group match which saw Yorkshire Carnegie progress to the last eight.

He, along with Rashid and fiery seamer Ajmal Shazhad, is one of many talented young cricketers of an Asian background who represent the best hope of the county winning back its reputation as England's leading cricket team. 

In fact, Darren Gough is so impressed with the young bowlers that are coming through the ranks that he has (with 3 months of the current season remaining) already announced his retirement from the game.

While the club only has two centrally-contracted on its books at the moment, you can reasonably expect there to be many more Yorkshire players competing on the international stage in the near future.

I for one hope that the old adage 'A strong Yorkshire makes for a strong England' is not without truth.