Yorkshire move criticised: Cricket

Yorkshire have been accused of "misleading" their members over Saturday's vote to break with over 100 years of tradition at Headingley and move to a purpose-built stadium just off the M1 near Wakefield.

Members backed the committee's proposal to "approve in principle the establishment of a new ground in Wakefield" by a three-to-one majority at the annual general meeting in Leeds Town Hall.

Paul Caddick, chairman of Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Club - the owners of Headingley - believes Yorkshire's members have been misled and not presented with all the facts concerning the funding.

The pounds 50m development at Durkar is expected to be funded jointly by the National Lottery, Sports Council, European Regional Development Fund and other sources.

"I don't think the Sports Council will be happy with what's gone on because they will believe that Yorkshire members have been mislead," Caddick claimed.

"They've already indicated to both Wakefield Council and Yorkshire cricket that they are only going to get in the order of pounds 10m."

Sir Lawrence Byford, who was re-elected for another term as the club's president, however, stressed: "There has been so much balderdash spoken about whether we will get grants - if Hampshire can get pounds 7.2m for their new ground I'm sure we can get pounds 15m for a Test ground."

Yorkshire's determination to leave Headingley is motivated by discontent over the owners profiting from all the perimeter advertising and catering, having no control over car parking and growing concern over trouble on the Western Terrace during Test matches.

They are also distressed at having to move two Sunday League matches to noon starts to accommodate rugby league commitments at the ground and Headingley has undoubtedly slipped behind other Test grounds in facilities and revenue potential.

n The International Cricket Council has held discussions with the Walt Disney World Company with a view to staging at least three one-day international tournaments in Orlando, Florida.