MARTYN Moxon has resigned after six years as Durham coach. He was unable to comment last night, but his reasons are expected to become clear when the club release a statement this afternoon.

Like his latest successor as Yorkshire captain, Darren Gough, 46-year-old Moxon was born in Barnsley and the possibility has always existed that he would be lured back to his native county.

He served Yorkshire as player, captain and coach for 20 years before a serious disagreement with the management saw him quit to take over at Riverside in 2001.

Durham finished next to the bottom of division two in the County Championship in his first season and bottom in 2002, but have improved steadily since.

After gaining promotion in 2005 they clung on to top-flight status by half a point last season, which meant they had achieved their highest finish in 15 seasons of first-class cricket.

With Durham's 2007 campaign starting at Worcester in seven weeks, there is little time to bring in an outsider as a replacement and the likelihood is that Geoff Cook will take over Moxon's role.

Apart from when he had a change of title during the three years of David Boon's captaincy, Cook has been Director of Cricket throughout Durham's first-class existence.

The former Northamptonshire and England opener has concentrated on developing young players during Moxon's reign and has been given much of the credit for bringing through England trio Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett.

Moxon captained Yorkshire from 1990-95 but injury began to take its toll and he retired after the 1997 season to take up coaching.

Yorkshire tried to lure him back three years ago, but he felt that his work at Durham was unfinished and when they extended his contract he was happy to stay, even though his reasons for leaving Yorkshire had been removed.

As long as he continued to live with his wife, son and daughter at Wetherby, however, it was likely that continual trips to Chester-le-Street would take their toll.

While they will be rocked by his departure, Durham have the consolation of knowing that they have a three-year commitment from their outstanding captain, Dale Benkenstein.

He has a house near Consett and has indicated that he will settle his family there as he intends to retire next month from playing in South Africa and commit the rest of his career to Durham.

He signed an extended contract at the end of last season and is such a strong advocate of encouraging local talent that Durham will make do with one official overseas player.

While shocked at the departure of their highly-regarded coach, it is understood Durham's senior players are confident of continuing to take the club forward under Benkenstein and Cook.