Brophy wins Yorkshire benefit

Gerard Brophy has won back his position behind the stumps at Yorkshire, and been awarded a benefit season for 2011

Yorkshire have awarded wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy a benefit year for 2011 to mark his sixth season at Headingley Carnegie.

The 34-year-old South African, who qualifies as a homegrown player because of his Northern Irish parentage, receives the recognition after just five seasons as reward for being “a hugely popular and very loyal cricketer”.

Brophy was awarded his county cap in 2008, and has scored over 4,000 runs and taken 250 dismissals since joining the county from Northamptonshire in 2006.

He famously hit a 14-ball fifty against Derbyshire in the 2006 Twenty20 Cup for Yorkshire.

Brophy said: “It is a great honour to be awarded a benefit season. The players, coaches, staff and supporters have all made me so welcome since I joined the club.

“To play for Yorkshire with its history and stature, to receive my county cap and now to get a benefit is beyond my wildest dreams.

“I am really looking forward to my benefit year and the events that will take place and would like to thank everyone for their continued support which really is appreciated.”

Outgoing Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan added: “I am sure that Gerard’s benefit season will be really well supported.

“He has given a lot to the Yorkshire cause, is a tremendous player and extremely popular with members, supporters and his fellow professionals. I wish him every success in his benefit season.”

Brophy was displaced behind the stumps by Yorkshire’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Jonathan Bairstow in the early part of the season, but has since reclaimed the position as first-choice gloveman.