David Byas, who triumphantly led Yorkshire to their first Championship title in 33 years last season, today came out of retirement to begin a new career with Roses rivals Lancashire after signing a one-year contract.

Details of his shock move over the Pennines were released from Old Trafford last night and clearly took Yorkshire by surprise.

Byas's decision to join the Red Rose county is an indication that his relationship with Yorkshire was not as harmonious as it appeared when he announced his retirement late last September.

Although Byas said at the time that he was calling it a day because he had achieved everything he had set out to do, there seems to have been a difference of opinion with director of coaching Wayne Clark over where the 38-year-old left-hander's career was heading.

I understand that Yorkshire would probably not have re-appointed Byas as captain for this season and it was the uncertainty about his future role that prompted him to reluctantly call it a day.

Byas would not comment about this yesterday beyond saying: "I will go no further than to say that the decision to retire was not wholly mine."

With Yorkshire facing the start of the season without new captain Darren Lehmann and very possibly several of their Test players, Byas could have added steel to the side and he did hint a few weeks ago that he would have considered returning if the right sort of approach was made.

But Yorkshire remained silent and he showed his enthusiasm for staying in county cricket when Lancashire contacted him about a month ago.

"It was an opportunity which I felt I could not afford to ignore and a challenge which I could not pass up. I did not need much persuading," said Byas.

"I am going to Lancashire on a year's contract but we will see how things pan out during the season and it may be that I will stay for longer. I am just looking forward to doing a good job for them this summer.

"I am not bothered about going back among the ranks and I am quite happy just to be a member of the side."

The retirement of Michael Atherton and further injury problems for Neil Fairbrother have left Lancashire short of experienced batsmen whilst the future of John Crawley at the club remains extremely doubtful. He is determined to move elsewhere but Lancashire have so far refused to release him from his contract.

Yorkshire chief executive Chris Hassell commented: "Lancashire are looking for short term cover and David Byas is as good a guy as any they could have got. We are very pleased for him and wish him every success."

Updated: 08:52 Friday, March 08, 2002