The club have announced plans to leave their 105-year-old home for a modern #50 million complex off the M1 and hope to be playing at the 25,000 capacity stadium by the year 2000.

Yorkshire's landlords, Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company, said yesterday: ``We believe there is a long way to go before the move becomes a reality and we will continue in our attempts to convince them to remain at Headingley.

``We were disappointed not to be informed of their press statement and we believe that we had an agreement that they would keep us informed of their intentions via our joint committee.''

The whole future of Headingley cricket and rugby grounds is now in limbo with a proposed takeover of the rugby league club also due to be finalised this month.

One of the bidders is Caspian, who own Leeds United Football Club, and are planning to switch rugby league to Elland Road. They have so far declined to make any comment on Yorkshire's decision to move.

Hampshire have re-appointed former Essex batsman John Stephenson as captain for next season.

Stephenson, 32, took over from Mark Nicholas for the start of last season but Hampshire won only three championship matches and finished 14th.

Stephenson, capped once by England in 1989, had his own season ruined by injury and managed only 611 runs and 36 wickets in first-class matches.