Nick wondered on the match thread if a captain had ever been dropped mid-season before.
Someone will remember this better than me but, I think it was in 1982, Yorkshire were having a torrid time and played a match against Northants at Middlesbrough. I seem to remember comments that it was a perfect bowling day, but Northants racked up something like 170 for 1 in double quick time and Chris Old either resigned as captain DURING the match, or perhaps immediately afterwards. I think this was the prelude to the return of Illingworth the player at the grand old age of 50.
There will no doubt be a few unintended errors in the above paragraph, so perhaps Stu, Steve or DP could correct as appropriate, bit I think I've got the general gist right.
I am surprised you can't remember as I'm sure it was you who once reprimanded me for getting the facts wrong about the Boycott/Hampshire go-slow at Northampton several years earlier (when it transpired Boycott was not at the wicket at the time). Perhaps I'm just forgetful again.
Anyway, I've managed to track down the scorecard, not that it answers the questions. It seems 170 for 1 was a little optimistic from Yorkshire's point of view!
I'm sure I hated it at the time but a top order of Cook, Larkins, Willey and Lamb looks pretty good to me. Williams at five would probably be the best twenty/20 player in the country if he were around now. A hard hitting batsman who's looping spin didn't loop because he was only four foot two in his stocking feet!
After the Northants match, Illy immediately took over for the rest of the season. His first game back as Captain was against Essex at Ilford on 23-25 June 1982.The change in captaincy took place after 7 matches in which Yorkshire won one.In their remaining 14 matches they won four times and finished tenth in the championship table.
The power of this website knows no bounds! A question is asked and definitive answer delivered - Thankyou Mr Bradbury - can you answer our other iutstanding query about PA Jackson?
I remember Illy's timely intervention - I was never entirely sure whether Chill resigned or was dismissed? I suspect it makes little difference now.
McGrath is too proud to stand down and martyn too loyal to drop him.
You were 'unlucky' over 'the go slow' Brian ... I'd had a disagreement with a mate so had checked the details in various books. Its also a'pivitol moment' in Yorkshire's history ... whereas Cilly stepping down/being sacked was just another episode in our early 80's 'truobles'
To round off my previous posting, Chris Old remained with Yorkshire as a player until the end of that 1982 season and played in most, but not all, of the remaining matches. He then left to join Warwickshire for whom he obtained 62 wickets in 1983 and he stayed with them until his reirement in 1985.
Illingworth stayed on as Captain in 1983 when sadly Yorkshire finished bottom of the championship - thougn they won the John Player League. In the Championship they won just one game out of 23. So ended the captaincy of Illingworth and after much acrimony David Bairstow became Captain for 1984.
Going off on a bit on an angle towards England rather than Yorkshire but Mike Denness famously dropped himself during the 74/75 ashes series when Lillee and Thomson got too much for him. He recalled himself for the final test when the two quicks were injured and scored a big hundred (175ish I think) against a much lesser attack.
If we can't force a win in this match, I think there is a very good case for dropping McGrath. Maybe he will do the right thing and fall on his own sword.