By JMB
March 1 2007

Martyn Moxon has left his position as coach of Durham and is expected to be on his way to his native Yorkshire to take the role of Director of Professional Cricket. The former Yorkshire captain will link up with Darren Gough who was unveiled as the new club captain yesterday. Moxon (46) has left Durham for 'personal reasons'.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club's chief executive Stewart Regan has said: "I can confirm that Martyn is one of the candidates on our shortlist for the Director of Professional Cricket post. No deal has yet been finalised, and until it has been concluded Yorkshire are not in a position to make further comment. We are in the latter stages of the negotiation process, and when a deal has been finalised we will comment fully."

Moxon played for Yorkshire from 1981-97. He became director of cricket when he retired before moving to Durham in 2001. He reportedly turned down an approach to return to Yorkshire three years ago. He played 10 Test matches for England, with a top score of 99, and eight ODIs for England.

Durham chairman Clive Leach has denied knowledge of Moxon rejoining Yorkshire, but admitted: "If a good guy is living near a city where there is an opportunity to do what he loves doing, it must be something he would be looking at. All I know is he has shared his [travel] concerns with us over the weeks. He resigned yesterday and it's perfectly reasonable that he wants to move on. In resigning, he gave personal reasons and we have to accept it on that basis. It's a normal, personal move and it looks like things will work out for him."

On his departure from Durham, Moxon said: "This has been a very difficult decision to make but the travelling from Wetherby [north Yorkshire] to Chester-le-Street has affected my ability to fulfil my responsibilities to the high standard that both I, and the club, demand. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Durham for their support."

He added: ""My time at Durham has been thoroughly enjoyable and I have felt great satisfaction in working with such a fantastic group of people."

Geoff Cook will take charge of the Durham 1st Team, stepping up from his current role with their Academy.