London: Former Australia Test cricketer Wayne Clark is set to leave Yorkshire just two years after coaching the team to the English County Championship title, a statement issued by the club indicated on Monday. Clark was widely acclaimed for his role in guiding Yorkshire, England's most successful club with 30 championship titles, to its first crown in 33 years in 2001. But last season Yorkshire was relegated to the second division prompting a re-think in the coaching structure with Clark offered the post of bowling coach. However, the county confirmed the proposal was unacceptable to Clark, whose contract was not due to expire until after the 2003 English season. In a statement, Yorkshire said, "Prior to Christmas Wayne Clark was seen separately in Australia by Geoff Cope (Yorkshire director of cricket) and Robin Smith (Yorkshire president). "Discussions took place concerning the club's plans to re-organise the coaching structure, and in particular to create two new roles of batting coach and bowling coach, Wayne Clark being assigned to the latter. "These proposals were not acceptable to Mr Clark. Negotiations are presently taking place through his solicitors. "The board will consider the present state of negotiations at its meeting this Thursday." Clark, 49, played 10 Tests for Australia during the late 1970s when the rebel Packer organisation employed many of the country's leading cricketers. But there was no doubting his coaching credentials when he arrived at Headingley three years ago. In Australia he guided Western Australia to two Sheffield Shield titles, the country's domestic first-class competition and two One-day trophies. But that record counted for very little last season when Yorkshire also suffered financial problems that saw the club's 5 million Pounds ($ 8 million) overdraft doubled in August. Yorkshire won just two out of 16 championship matches last season although it did capture the Trophy, England's senior One-day tournament, with a six-wicket victory over Somerset in the final at Lord's. On Saturday, Yorkshire confirmed it would be retaining Australia batsman Darren Lehmann as its county captain next season despite his five-match suspension for racist comments made during a Limited Overs International match against Sri Lanka. "As far as Yorkshire is concerned the ICC (International Cricket Council) has dealt with the matter and it is time to move on," Cope said.

Tags: cricket, wayne clark, yorkshire, english county championship, second division, contract, geoff cope, robin smith, packer organisation, sheffield shield, darren lehmann, international cricket council.