McGrath dispute goes to mediation

McGrath has played for Yorkshire for the past 12 seasons

The dispute between Yorkshire and want-away batsman Anthony McGrath will move an important step forward when the two sides meet at Lord's on Friday.

An independent panel of mediators will try and resolve the dispute which has dragged on for several months.

McGrath wants to leave Yorkshire, but the club wants to hold him to the two years left on his current contract.

The 31-year-old made almost 1,300 first-class runs last summer, including four centuries and nine fifties.

And Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said earlier this month: "He is not able to simply terminate his contract and walk away. We have notified other clubs of this by letter.

"Discussions with other clubs can only be undertaken if the player's contract has ended, and if the appropriate notice has been given to Yorkshire.

"Neither of these conditions have, in our view, been met. Anthony's ECB registration remains with Yorkshire."

McGrath's solicitor, however, insists his contract with the club has been terminated.

It is the most protracted dispute involving a high-profile player since John Crawley moved from Lancashire for Hampshire in 2002 after his old club received a five-figure compensation sum.