Dawood released by Yorkshire

Yorkshire have released Ismail Dawood, David Lucas and Chris Taylor as they begin preparations for next season in Division One of the County Championship. Dawood, 29, is the most notable player not to be retained after being the first choice wicketkeeper for most of the season.

However, David Byas, the director of cricket, said that even though he was superbly committed to the team and spent hours working on his game he hadn't produced enough performances with the bat or gloves. In 12 Championship matches Dawood scored 326 runs at 21 and claimed 34 catches and a stumping.

Byas told the Yorkshire Post that the decision to release Dawood was a "tough call" and added: "You could not wish to have a better bloke around the dressing room."

Yorkshire's reserve keeper, Simon Guy, has been retained despite playing only four Championship matches in 2005, but has been told that there is no guarantee of a first team place next summer. Byas has said he is keen to sign a new keeper along with an overseas quick bowler, with Ian Harvey, the Australian allrounder, not returning to the club in 2006.

The news of Lucas and Taylor is less of a surprise. Both made just a single first-class appearance during this season - and none in the Championship. Lucas, who moved from Nottinghamshire in 2004 didn't impress, while Taylor could not force his way into a solid batting order. Taylor, however, has been given a second by Derbyshire.

While there is significant movement out of the club, Yorkshire are expecting Darren Lehmann, the former Australian batsman, to return as one of the overseas players for 2006. He took a break from county cricket this season after playing five seasons with Yorkshire.