The 150th Anniversary of Roses Cricket was recently celebrated with a Gala Dinner at Headingley attended by many current and former players. Guest of honour was Fred Trueman OBE who received a cut glass claret jug from Chairman, Keith Moss, in recognition of his then record of 307 wickets for England. Doug Padgett at 65 retiring as Yorkshire's coach after more than 40 years service with the Club was also honoured with a cut glass claret jug. Guests were brilliantly entertained by David Lloyd, former England coach, and His Honour Judge Brian Walsh, Recorder of Leeds and a former Chairman of the Club. Proceeds were in aid of the Jamie Hood Appeal Fund. The first ever Roses matches were played in 1849 at Sheffield and Manchester when Yorkshire were victors on both occasions.

Yorkshire have relayed two of the pitches on the Headingley square at a cost of �5 k. Taken down to a depth of 15 inches Head Groundsman, Andy Fogarty, has used Ongar Loam on a base of limestone chippings and is well pleased with the grass covering already established. This is the first pitch reconstruction since his appointment in September 1995 and he is hopeful of producing surfaces with better and more consistent bounce.

Next seasons Benson & Hedges Cup sees Yorkshire grouped with Durham (a), Lancashire (h), Leicestershire (h), Derbyshire (a) and Nottinghamshire (a) with the top two in each of the three groups plus the best two, third placed Counties contesting the quarter finals.

The fixture list is somewhat unbalanced with the majority of home fixtures in the first half of the season. However we have been fortunate enough to secure three Championship matches (Hants, Durham and Lancs) with Friday starts which will give members plenty of weekend cricket. A new venue for us is Arundel which will prove an attraction following four days at the Oval. If the YCB is successful against Hunts or Hants Board in the NatWest Trophy then we will have an all Yorkshire tie in the third round which would be played at Harrogate. In the fourth round of the NatWest Trophy we will probably be away to Northamptonshire. The one home day/night fixture is against Lancashire on Wednesday 9 August and there are two away day/night fixtures against Lancashire and Kent.

Darren Lehmann is set to join Yorkshire next season and we are awaiting confirmation of his availability from the Australian Cricket Board. Darren has signed a two year contract. Matthew Hoggard has also signed a new three year contract. The County will be embarking on a pre-season tour to Perth in preparation for the new season departing on Friday 10 March and returning 5 April.

Yorkshire's final Championship match of next season will be the last at Southampton as Hampshire will be moving to their new ground for the start of 2001.

For the CGU National Cricket League the format will remain the same at 45 overs but play will commence at 1.00 pm (12.30 pm in September).

Members who have e-mail addresses can now receive the added service of press releases providing up to the minute details of events in Yorkshire Cricket. When renewing your membership please add your e-mail address if you wish to take advantage of this added bonus of modern technology.

Yorkshire umpire John Hampshire has been appointed to ICC Umpires panel and joins George Sharp, David Shepherd and Peter Willey as England's representatives on the panel.