YORKSHIRE captain David Byas has dropped a bombshell by announcing his retirement from first class cricket.

The 38-year-old batsman has decided to go out at the top after leading Yorkshire this summer to their first Championship title win in 33 years.

Yorkshire will not decide on a replacement for some time yet, but Australian Darren Lehmann is the official vice-captain and is almost certain to be given the job.

Lehmann, who captains South Australia, has made no secret of the fact that he would relish the opportunity of leading Yorkshire if the chance ever came his way.

There is also little doubt that Lehmann will have the full support of fellow Australian Wayne Clark who joined Yorkshire as first team coach this summer and has played a big part in their success.

Byas was already busy working his farm at Kilham, near Driffield, yesterday, after informing Yorkshire that he was retiring after captaining the county for the past six seasons.

"There has been no fall-out whatsoever but it was clear that I would not be playing on for another ten years and I wanted to go out at the top," said Byas.

"I have had a wonderful career which was capped by what we achieved this season and I hope the club goes from strength to strength.

"Yorkshire cricket provided me with a wonderful opportunity and I have loved every minute of it but a lot of players go out as a shadow of their former selves and I don't want to do that.

"My family have been very supportive of my cricket since I joined Yorkshire in 1985 and now it is time to catch up on my duties back at the farm.

"It has been a difficult decision to retire at the top but the memories of a fantastic Championship season will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Byas, who broke batting records with his home club of Scarborough before joining Yorkshire, has scored 14,398 first class runs, including 28 centuries, for the county - a figure exceeded by only 20 other batsmen in the club's history.

He is Yorkshire's leading scorer in county league cricket with 5352 runs with only Geoff Boycott and Richard Blakey also having made it past the 5,000 mark.

Yorkshire cricket chairman Bob Platt said: "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the loyalty, integrity and commitment that David has shown during his 17 years with Yorkshire."

Updated: 09:01 Wednesday, September 26, 2001