Leeds (England): Australian batsman Darren Lehmann looks set to be sacked as Yorkshire captain this week it was reported on Tuesday despite receiving a vote of confidence from the board last weekend. However the 32-year-old is not to be removed from his post because of the racial remarks he made while playing against Sri Lanka last week for which he received a five-match ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC). However according to the 'Yorkshire Evening Post' the county board is likely to remove him because of potential international commitments. While the county has come under pressure from the local community about his remarks for which he issued an immediate apology and which was accepted by the Sri Lankans, it has insisted he would not lose his job over that. However Yorkshire cricket chief Geoff Cope confirmed on Tuesday it was his intention to settle the issue of the captaincy for 2003 at Thursday's board meeting as the 2001 county champions bid to make an immediate return to the elite division having suffered the ignominy of relegation last term. Possible successors are Richard Blakey, who led the county to a One-day trophy triumph last season when Lehmann was away on international duty, or the younger duo of batsman Anthony McGrath and England pace bowler Chris Silverwood. According to the report an outsider could be former Australian opening batsman Matthew Elliott, who hit a match-winning, unbeaten century in the One-day triumph at Lord's having been selected as Lehmann's overseas replacement while he was away with the national team.

Extras:
Lehmann suspended for 5 ODI ties for racial slur
Yorkshire to stand by Lehmann over racial slur
ICC may crack whip on Lehmann for racist outburst

  E-mail         To the Editor         Print