Yorkshire and England superstar Darren Gough has smashed his county's record by netting £250,000 in his benefit season last year.

Geoff Boycott raised £148,000 during his testimonial season with Yorkshire in 1984 which marked his 20 years' as a capped player.

But the previous highest for a benefit season - usually awarded after ten years' service as a senior player - was the £122,438 raised by Richard Blakey in 1998.

Although Gough has more than doubled that figure, the final amount is still considerably less than some thought he would receive after organising special events around the world.

But Gough will not be complaining. If one divides £250,000 by 386 - which is the number of first class wickets he has taken for Yorkshire - it can be argued that each wicket has earned him £647.66p.

Gough still has a year left on his contract with Yorkshire but after a rift between himself and the club during the winter he has said that he does not want to commit himself beyond this year.

Updated: 12:00 Wednesday, February 20, 2002