STAR batsman Jacques Rudolph has left Yorkshire after four years at Headingley.

The 29-year-old South African has had his request to be released from the final year of his contract accepted by the county’s board of directors.

And, having scored a total of 8,629 runs in all competitions in English domestic cricket, he could now force his way back into the international arena after relinquishing his Kolpak status.

It was the headline news yesterday on a bittersweet day for the White Rose county.

They were celebrating the inclusion of five of their players in either the main Ashes squad or the shadow ECB Performance Programme party to travel to Australia this winter.

All rounder Tim Bresnan was one of the 16 names selected for the Test tour, while Ajmal Shahzad, Andrew Gale, Adam Lyth and Jonny Bairstow will all be involved with the Performance Programme.

Adil Rashid will use the first part of the winter to take a complete break from cricket.

A Yorkshire statement yesterday explained that Rudolph and his wife, Elna, are ready to start a family in South Africa.

“While Jacques has thoroughly enjoyed his time with Yorkshire, he and his wife have found it difficult adjusting to life in England,” it said.

“Jacques has spent each winter with his family in South Africa. And, while his wife moved to Leeds in an attempt to find suitable employment as a doctor, this has not worked out as they would have liked.

“As such, they formally requested to be released from the final year of Jacques’ contract.

The board of directors have granted this wish.”

In a published letter to Stewart Regan, who also completed his last day as the club’s chief executive yesterday, Rudolph spoke of his “love and passion” for Yorkshire.

But he also said: “My love for cricket is unquestionable.

However, it will always come second to the needs of my family.

“As you know, our initial intention when you and I first spoke in early 2007 was to settle in England.

“However, over the last 18 months, Elna and I have found it increasingly difficult being apart from our family. This has re-affirmed our desire to return to our home country.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my four years at Yorkshire, and hope I have given as much to the club as they have given to me.

“Over my four years, I have seen the club develop and grow, and I will leave knowing the future is bright and in safe hands.”

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of professional cricket, commented: “Obviously he’s going to leave a huge gap in our team.

“But it gives an opportunity to somebody else in our squad to step up.”

Meanwhile, Moxon believes that Shahzad should not be “too disheartened” to miss out on the Ashes tour.

He said: “Given his experience – he’s only really played two seasons in the County Championship – to get where he has so quickly is fantastic for him.

“He could still play a part in the Ashes, and to be the next cab off the rank is a fine achievement.”

Shahzad will link up with Yorkshire colleagues Gale, Lyth and Bairstow in Brisbane just before the first Test. He will also travel with them to Perth in time for the third Test.

Gale and Lyth were expected picks for the shadow squad, but Bairstow’s call came from left field.

He said: “To get a call for something like this is always a shock, but I’m really pleased.

“You just try and play your best for Yorkshire and then hope to get rewarded when these things come along.”

Bairstow celebrates his 21st birthday on Sunday, and the wicketkeeper-batsman could feasibly play in the Ashes if there were a couple of injuries here and there.

“Ah, that’s a long way off,”

he added. “There are some really good players in the squad, and I’ve just got to concentrate on training and practising hard.”