Yorkshire lose 100 per cent record with limp offering in Cheltenham

Stewart Regan's resignation as chief executive – revealed to the players shortly before the team coach headed south – came as a shock to everyone at Headingley Carnegie.

Less surprising, perhaps, was the conduct of Azeem Rafiq, who was yesterday suspended by the club following his foul-mouthed rant on Twitter against England Under-19 coach John Abrahams, who dropped him for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Scarborough following alleged misconduct during last week's first Test in Northampton.

Yorkshire and England have launched an investigation into Rafiq's outburst, while Regan yesterday described the player's behaviour as "totally unacceptable" and said the club would "not tolerate it".

While off-the-field events continued to dominate, on the field Yorkshire suffered their first defeat in the Clydesdale Bank 40 League as they lost to Gloucestershire by 65 runs.

Having won their opening five games to go top of Group B, Yorkshire looked like a team whose minds were elsewhere, surrendering their 100 per cent record in disappointing style.

Before 4,264 at the picturesque College Ground, a larger crowd than watched the opening day of last week's Test match between Pakistan and Australia at Headingley Carnegie, Yorkshire conceded 294-6 after winning the toss.

Yorkshire's bowling was poor to say the least (only Steve Patterson leaked less than five runs an over) and the fielding – normally a strong suit – was off-key.

Chris Taylor (83 not out) and Alex Gidman (64) were the principal beneficiaries, while James Franklin and Hamish Marshall weighed in with 42 apiece.

Not for the first time this summer, the tone was set by a disastrous start from Tino Best, who conceded 17 runs from his opening over before being told to take his sweater. One can only feel sorry for Gale when one of his main strike bowlers serves up an assortment of wides, half-volleys and long-hops, although it must be asked why the West Indian is playing ahead of certain other players. Best was entrusted with just three overs in total – from which 33 runs were accrued in comfortable fashion.

On this evidence, Yorkshire must strongly consider whether Best presents too much of a risk at a stage of the season when they are chasing silverware on two fronts. Sadly for Yorkshire, Best was not alone in delivering a profligate display.

Even Tim Bresnan, who dashed down the motorway after being released from Test duty at Trent Bridge, failed to sparkle as Gloucestershire struck 25 fours and eight sixes in total.

Adil Rashid came in for particularly heavy punishment, the leg-spinner lashed to all parts as his eight overs yielded 67 runs.

The start of Yorkshire's reply was as X-rated as Rafiq's Twitter page.

Jacques Rudolph was caught at second slip, Andrew Gale bowled off an inside-edge, Jonathan Bairstow caught behind first ball and Rashid bowled second ball as Yorkshire plunged to 39-4 inside six overs.

After Anthony McGrath fell to a catch behind with the total on 73, the former England all-rounder having dropped down the order after injuring his hand, Yorkshire were given hope by Adam Lyth and Bresnan, who combined in a fine sixth-wicket stand of 105.

But when former Yorkshire pace bowler Steve Kirby had Bresnan caught at deep mid-wicket for 58 and Lyth held at mid-off for 84, Yorkshire were 203-7 in the 33rd over and there was no way back.

[email protected]

n Scorecard: Page 23