LONDON: Yorkshire has appointed former England captain Darren Gough as their new managing director of cricket on an interim basis until the end of the 2022 season.
According to a statement issued by the club on Monday, Darren Gough was appointed as managing director on an interim basis to ensure stability. The development came days after their coaching staff quit amid allegations of institutional racism.
Former director of cricket Martyn Moxon, first-team coach Andrew Gale and all members of the coaching staff were among 16 people who left the club last week amid the racism scandal involving former player Azeem Rafiq.
Gough has been out of the game since his retirement in 2008 but took a short-term mentoring role with England’s seamers on tour in New Zealand two years ago and was enthused by the experience.
“Yorkshire County Cricket Club has been part of my life since my earliest days in cricket when I made my debut in 1989, and I spent 15 happy years at the club,” Gough said. “Like many, I have followed how the club handled the recent racism allegations with sadness and anger.
“I want to play my part in rebuilding cricket in Yorkshire and I am looking forward to working with the exceptionally talented group of players here,” he said, adding, “I am also aware of my wider responsibility to listen to everyone and ensure that every person who is associated with this club feels welcome.”
Gough is highly regarded by whistleblower Rafiq and was among the first to make contact when his allegations of discrimination at the club became public.
England Test skipper Joe Root, a lifelong Yorkshire player, has also backed Gough as the perfect man to help the White Rose bounce back from a torrid chapter in its history.
The scandal had shaken English sport, cost Yorkshire sponsors and the right to host England internationals and embroiled some of the biggest names in English cricket.
