Gough eyes final fling

Darren Gough

Former England seamer Darren Gough is aiming to play one more season at the helm for Yorkshire following his successful return to the county in 2007.

Gough is enjoying a well-deserved holiday in the United Arab Emirates with his two sons and he is optimistic of playing next season despite suffering a stress reaction in his left shin during the latter part of the season.

Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves and Geoffrey Boycott persuaded the 37-year-old to end his three-year stint at Essex to return to his first love - Yorkshire - for the 2007 season.

His side just fell short in the LV County Championship after leading with two weeks to go but the prospects are bright at Headingley Carnegie following Jacques Rudolph’s new extended contract and the development of rising star 19 year-old leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who took 40 wickets and was under consideration for England’s tour of Sri Lanka.

Yorkshire have signed Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan as their overseas player for the next two years but have inserted a get-out clause into his contract should he fail to regain full fitness after severely dislocating his right shoulder for Sussex against Durham at Chester-le-Street.

Rana turned down a three-year offer from Leicestershire and will join Yorkshire in March.

Gough taking in some quality time with his family while taking advantage of the water parks, swimming, skiing and go-karting in the Emirates but he will be returning to the UAE for a pre-season training camp with Yorkshire.

Before then he will feature again on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing TV show including a Comic Relief and a Christmas special and a seven-week tour.