Sussex award Yardy a benefit year

SUSSEX County Cricket Club has announced that Michael Yardy has been granted a benefit year in 2014.
Michael YardyMichael Yardy
Michael Yardy

The 32-year-old all-rounder who grew up in Hastings has played a part in Sussex cricket for almost two decades, having come up through the ranks of the county age group squads. The former William Parker School student first appeared for Sussex in List A cricket in 1999, before making his first-class debut a season later.

He was a part of the Sussex squad that won the County Championship for the first time in 2003. Yardy cemented his place in the side during the 2004 season, the year in which he struck his maiden first-class century against Surrey.

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Yardy’s form earned his first international recognition in 2005 with England A, before making his full debuts for England in both one-day international and Twenty20 cricket in 2006. His left-arm spin, coupled with his batting, made him a key figure in England’s World Twenty20 triumph in the Caribbean in 2010.

Yardy helped Sussex to the Championship and C&G trophy double in 2006, and another Championship title in 2007. He captained the side between 2009 and 2012, winning the Twenty20 Cup and the NatWest Pro40 in his first year at the helm. Yardy also skippered Sussex back to Division 1 of the Championship in 2010.

He said: “I have had 14 very special years at Sussex and really appreciate the recognition of this by the club awarding me a benefit in 2014.

“I look forward to working closely with my charities MIND and Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, of which I really appreciate the great work that both do. It will be a great year on and off the field.”

n Australian overseas bowler Steve Magoffin has signed a new one-year contract with Sussex for the 2014 season.

He took 63 wickets at an average of 21.49 last season.

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