'Proud Yorkshireman' Thompson braced for an emotional farewell

There is nothing funny about relegation battles but that doesn't mean that there won't be some high-jinks behind the scenes at Headingley this week.

- by Chris Waters

HITTING OUT: Jordan Thompson hits out in the T20 match against Durham at York earlier this season.

Why, Jordan Thompson is expecting nothing less.

"The lads have got four more days with me so I'm expecting my kit to be in tatters, bats to be broken, pads to be ripped up and things like that because there's always a bit of banter," said Thompson, who is leaving for Warwickshire on a three-year deal.

"There'll probably be a few bits of food and stones in my kit as well-all sorts, basically.

"I'm usually at the forefront of it all but it's probably my time now to be on the receiving end.

"I'm expecting it to be absolute carnage, to be honest, and although the cricket will obviously come first and foremost, I think there'll be a few bits going on in the changing room as well."

Glad to hear it, you might say, given that morgue-like atmospheres are unlikely to be helpful. Yorkshire need 10 points from the game against Durham to guarantee survival and will be taking nothing for granted.

"It's obviously a crucial game at home to make sure that we preserve Division One status," said Thompson, who has featured in eight of the 13 Championship games this year.