What's up with Goughie? That's the question which large numbers of cricket fans are asking as they struggle to make sense of the bizarre stand-off between the star fast bowler and county champions Yorkshire over the past few weeks.

Puzzlement over remarks by Gough that he was thinking of quitting Yorkshire because he claimed some committee men were wanting to stab him in the back turned to astonishment when he then blasted the club - for telling him that they definitely wished him to stay with his native county.

Gough's apparent mood swings have also baffled Yorkshire, who were so sure that he was pleased with the club's request to see out his contract that they prepared a press statement which they intended to release at the beginning of this week.

But they were overtaken by events.

Having been told by Gough on Saturday that he would be giving "110 per cent" for Yorkshire next season, officials were flabbergasted the following day to read that he had lashed them for forcing him to stay with the club.

In order to prove that agreement had been reached - at least so far as Yorkshire were concerned - chief executive Chris Hassell released the statement immediately Gough's tirade went into print.

At the same time, therefore, that Yorkshire were saying that Gough's contribution to Yorkshire cricket had been immeasurable and that the club were most anxious that he should continue in the Broad Acres, the player himself was making it clear that he would honour his contract but not extend it when it expires next September.

No wonder that Yorkshire supporters are baffled by a saga which has resulted in Gough becoming even more at odds with the club where he grew up and became a national hero.

One of the reasons why Gough says he is so disenchanted is because he was not offered an extension to his contract last September at the same time as his Yorkshire team-mates were receiving theirs.

But some believe that he really wants to leave Yorkshire and make a fresh start elsewhere - Essex heading the queue of at least four counties who would be vying for his signature if he became available.

Yorkshire's initial reluctance to give Gough a contract at this stage for 2003 is understandable. Would he still want to play for them by then and would he be worth a huge salary for possibly only a few games when they have so many talented fast bowlers to call upon?

When Gough first revealed his unhappiness at Yorkshire a few weeks ago, the club were perfectly willing to free him from his contract if he wanted to go.

They did not, however, want it to look as if they were pushing him out, preferring instead that Gough should put in a request to leave.

But Gough probably did not want to make it appear as if he was being disloyal to Yorkshire during a benefit season which is likely to net him at least £350,000.

He declined to give a straight answer while still sniping at the committee in newspaper articles and in the end Yorkshire decided to take control of the situation by asking him to stay

They indicated their willingness to extend his contract but Gough said that after all that had gone on he would be daft to sign it.

So the impasse continues but I would not be surprised if Gough made a fresh attempt at some stage over the next few weeks to negotiate his release in more relaxed circumstances. It could be what both parties really want to happen.

If Gough is still with Yorkshire next season there are bound to be tensions both on and off the field and even more fans could start questioning his loyalty now that they know he is determined to move on.

It is all very sad that the player who became the most marketable asset in Yorkshire's history should now have a strained relationship with the White Rose county.

From the moment I saw Gough make his Yorkshire debut against Middlesex at Lord's on April 20, 1989, it was obvious to me that the 18-year-old paceman from Barnsley had got potential star quality. But it was still impossible to imagine that he would go on to become the king of English cricket and one of the wealthiest players in the world.

"The Dazzler", as Gough became known, continues to enjoy superstar status, but whether he will go on shining brightly for Yorkshire remains to be seen.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, December 08, 2001