Martyn Moxon Photo © Phil Cole AllSport UK Ltd.

Martyn Moxon has been explaining his decision to leave high-flying Yorkshire to take up the coaching position at struggling Durham.

"Recent events inside the club made me realise that the time had come for a change," Moxon said. "At this stage I don't want to divulge what they are, but suffice to say it's not been an easy decision."

Moxon admitted that he will miss the club where he has spent nearly 20 years. He has been with Yorkshire, as player (since 1981) and coach (since 1988), scoring more than 20,000 first-class runs for the county. He also captained the club between 1990 and 1995. "This is a big wrench," he said. "I will miss the players and I'm sad that I'm leaving a job unfinished. It's not something that I particularly wanted to do but I feel that it will be the best thing for me and the club."

The appointment is something of a coup for Durham. Bill Midgley, Durham chairman, commented, "We've had a lot of fine applicants and have been impressed by what Martyn had to say. We're looking forward to having him on board. He has a lot of very good ideas and the fact he has coached the England A team will only benefit us as a county."

Moxon had three years left to serve on his Yorkshire contract, but club chairman, Keith Moss, explained: "It is bound to come as a shock to members and supporters but I and the committee saw no point in holding on to someone who did not want to stay."

Moxon is to join England's one-day squad in Sri Lanka to work as assistant to Duncan Fletcher; a sure sign that he is highly rated within the ECB. "I'm assistant coach to Duncan Fletcher for the series," he stated. "It is a great boost for me. He's a man I can learn a lot from. He's knowledgeable and goes about his business with no fuss. The big part of coaching is getting the best from players. I'm learning that from him.

"I'm by no means the finished article, but I'm learning all the time. It will be a big challenge. Durham are a forward-looking club so hopefully I can help bring them some success."

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