Physio McAllister declares time on his Headingley stay

McAllister has been appointed physiotherapist of the Scotland Rugby Union Sevens team in the Rugby Sevens World Series.

Kunwar Bansil, a 28-year-old who recently worked for Super League club Hull FC, will succeed McAllister next month.

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket, paid tribute to the long-serving McAllister, who has been at Headingley for 11 years. “It is very sad to see Scot leave,” said Moxon.

“He has been an outstanding physio and a great servant to Yorkshire cricket.

“He is very ambitious and I totally understand his desire to continue his career path in international sport.

“He will be a great asset to Scotland Rugby and everyone at the club wishes him every success in his new venture.”

Moxon went on: “We all welcome Kunwar to the club and look forward to working with him.

“He has been highly recommended to us by Scot and our medical consultant, Wayne Morton, who was lead physiotherapist with Yorkshire and England for a number of years.”

McAllister, who has also worked as physio with the England Performance Programme on several tours, said he would look back fondly on his time with Yorkshire.

“I leave Headingley with a heavy heart,” he declared.

“I have seen many of the players in the current team grow up from their early beginnings as junior players in the academy to fully-fledged first-class cricketers.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges of developing my career in a new sport and will continue to take an interest in Yorkshire cricket and wish the club every success over the next few years.”

McAllister’s departure follows that of strength and conditioning coach Tom Summers, who is leaving to take up a position in Hong Kong. Summers has been replaced by former Yorkshire player Ian Fisher, 37, who has been strength and conditioning coach at Essex for the past two seasons.

Fisher will be supported in his role by 23-year-old Blaine Clancy.

Northamptonshire have been promoted to County Championship Division One after closest challengers Essex failed to claim enough bonus points in their match against Hampshire.

An Essex win at the Ageas Bowl with maximum bonus points, coupled with a Northants loss, would have seen the teams level on points and Essex promoted by virtue of winning more games.

But when Monty Panesar was caught by Jimmy Adams off the bowling of Matt Coles to dismiss the visitors for 207 in their first innings, that became an impossibility and Northants’ ascension was secured.

Derbyshire require a near-miracle to retain their place in Division One after Warwickshire took control of the match at the County Ground. The home side must win to have any chance of staying up but slumped to 44-5 at the close in response to Warwickshire’s 
391-9 declared. Chris Woakes posted 152 not out.

Durham were struggling in their match against Sussex at Hove.

Sussex established a first-innings lead of 164 as they posted 328.