Yorkshire employs Sidebottom, Harmison to coaching staff for interim period

Yorkshire managing director of cricket Darren Gough has roped in Ryan Sidebottom and Steve Harmison as interim coaches to prepare the county for the upcoming season. 

Owing to the claims of institutional racism made against Yorkshire by their ex-player Azeem Rafiq, the club fired the 16-member coaching staff, including head coach Andrew Gale and director of cricket Martyn Moxon. Following the allegations, Gough took over the position of director of cricket and now has added his former teammates to the coaching staff on an interim basis.

While Tim Boon will lead the pre-season training, Cookie Patel, Martin Speight, Richard Waite and Paul Shaw will also assist the coaching staff.

"I am delighted that we have been able to secure interim support of the highest quality, all of whom have many years of experience between them, and our players will hugely benefit from their vast knowledge and expertise," Gough said on the appointment of Sidebottom and Harmison.

"The Yorkshire County Cricket Club can confirm that an interim coaching and support team are in place at Headingley. Former England coach Tim Boon will be leading training, supported by former England fast bowlers Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom. Additional coaching support will be provided by Cookie Patel, Paul Shaw, Martin Speight and Northern Diamonds Performance Coach, Richard Waite. Additional support might be required dependent on availability," the statement from the club read.

The coaches part of the interim team are not the applicants for permanent vacancies and the Yorkshire County Cricket Club will review the applications for the position of the head coach in the coming days.

"All the individuals offering support are not applicants for any of the permanent coaching vacancies currently being recruited. The application deadline for the head coach role has now closed and the club will be reviewing applications in the coming days," the statement confirmed.