Brownett bids to keep Cork

Cork has said he would leave the club as long as committee member Harold Rhodes and former coach Andy Hayhurst continue to have an input over team affairs.

``I feel I should make my position clear on a number of matters,'' Brownett said.

``First, I unequivocally support the committee in their decisions at the present time. Secondly, I fully agree with the conciliatory measures that are being put in place by the committee.

``Thirdly, I must completely disassociate myself from those members who are currently trying to organise a special general meeting.

``Finally, the general committee and myself are totally committed to Dominic Cork continuing as captain of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.''

The allrounder, who led Derbyshire to last season's NatWest Trophy final, claimed his authority had been undermined following the power struggle with Rhodes and his supporters.

Cork has been threatening to resign since the end of last season if Rhodes and Hayhurst continue to have an influence over the playing staff.

But after the Derbyshire committee agreed to support Rhodes and Hayhurst, Cork said he would put in a written request to be released from his contract.

Cork, who was on Saturday omitted from the England World Cup squad, said: ``This has been going on since October, and it is now into January and nothing has happened.

``I am not having any more meetings with Harold Rhodes, Andy Hayhurst or any members of the committee.

``Let them pick Harold Rhodes, let them pick Andy Hayhurst, let them pick the committee. If that's how they want to treat Dominic Cork, if that's how they want to lose Dominic Cork, I don't want to be involved in Derbyshire any longer.

``It's sad day for Derbyshire and a sad day for Dominic Cork.''

Derbyshire have been plagued by internal divisions in recent seasons. In 1997 former Australian Test batsman Dean Jones quit the club, claiming that senior players were disrupting his captaincy.

The previous season, Jones had led the county to runners-up position in the County Championship.

Cork was appointed skipper for last season in a bid to make a fresh start but the long-running feud with Rhodes and Hayhurst has done nothing to clear the air at the Midlands club.