Yorkshire reappoint David Byas as captain

Cricket

Yorkshire have reappointed David Byas as captain but released Mark Robinson, their 29-year-old left-arm seamer. The Hull-born Robinson made 90 first-class appearances, taking 218 wickets at a cost of 31.49 runs apiece after signing from Northamptonshire in 1991. He has been unable to earn selection this season. The club have given a new contract to the second-team batsman Bradley Parker, who was offered the chance to move last year but remained at Headingley to complete the terms of his engagement.

Bob Cottam, the Somerset Director of Cricket, has parted company with the club with a year of his contract still to run. A statement from Peter Anderson, the chief executive, yesterday explained Cottam was departing "by mutual consent". The same statement also revealed that the club captain, Andy Hayhurst, the off-spinner, Jeremy Batty, and the seam bowler, Jeremy Hallett, are being released.