By JMB
December 20 2006

When faced with adversity people either shrink and die or sit up and thrive. It's not the Yorkshire way to wilt. 2006 has brought chaos, confusion and the odd moment of unadulterated jubilation. In the Corridor of Uncertainties first six months we've seen it all. Back in late June when we started this site Yorkshire were sitting at the bottom of the Championship table and seemed all but doomed in all competitions. Then the Yorkshire grit and fight shone through.

There have been some incredible highs and lows for Yorkshire fans in that time. We've watched Darren Lehmann leave the club, signing his farewell card with a mammoth and glorious 339 in the last Championship match of the season. That knock was the second highest by a Yorkshire player and saved Yorkshire from relegation into division 2 of the Championship.

It has been a privilege to watch Lehmann play for Yorkshire. He has been accepted as a Yorkshire man - there's no higher honour.

As Lehmann plundered runs at one end it was invariably Anthony McGrath who scored at the other. The two players went run for run for most of the season until Lehmann's triple century saw him clear. This site spent a lot of the summer months promoting Mags as a candidate for an England recall. In the 80's when the national team changed weekly he would have certainly earnt another chance by now. Unfortunately for Mags the England team is settled and (until the last month) successful. He may well have missed the boat.

It may be the frustration that his England days are gone, or it could be the much mentioned dressing room / management split, but Mags seems determined to have played his last game for the club. Will Mags follow Michael Lumb out of the door?

Lumb has been a constant frustration for Yorkshire supporters. He is a powerful attacking batsman who can be destructive and hugely entertaining. He can also throw his wicket away as if he couldn't care less - which we know is not true. There were definite signs of maturity in 2006. It was Lumb who kept Lehmann company for most of his huge innings. With nearly 1,000 runs Lumb seemed to have grown up and the next few seasons seemed certain to see McGrath and Lumb at 3 and 4 in the Yorkshire batting order. Now Lumb will be scoring his runs for Hampshire and McGrath seems intent on digging his escape route across the Pennines.

And what of our other run machines. Matthew Wood disappeared after struggling for the first half of the summer. Sayers and Gale showed glimpses of what they have to offer. And Chalky White stepped up to secure an opening berth with 859 runs.

As the lights on the season dimmed and we waved goodbye to Boof, the legend, there was much to be content with. The fans chattered about who would replace Lehmann. We considered how we might strengthen the side, and then White resigned the captaincy, Lumb left and McGrath threw his teddy out of the cot. The wheels came off big style and left the club and the fans to frantically fathom a way forward.

Part Two…The Young Guns (to follow)