Gough tells of poison pen letters

Darren Gough, made man-of-the-series for his 25 wickets in the Cornhill Test series win over the West Indies, has been the target of poison-pen letters from Yorkshire supporters who claim he has put England first this summer.

Gough was one of twelve players to be given central contracts by the England and Wales Cricket Board before the start of the season. As a result they were only available to their counties for Benson and Hedges Cup and NatWest Trophy matches. Any other domestic appearances have been at the discretion of the England coach Duncan Fletcher.

"I can't believe the amount of stick I've taken this summer from Yorkshire members especially," said Gough. "Even on the last morning at The Oval, I got a letter saying Yorkshire should terminate my contract to save money.

"Unfortunately he didn't leave an address or phone number, so I can't send somebody round to kneecap him!

"I find that hard to take because I've always given everything for Yorkshire and England. ``You only have to look at the performances I've put in for England this year to see what central contacts have done for me."