Yorkshire's leading strike bowler Steve Kirby has dropped a bombshell by quitting the club.

The 26-year-old red-haired paceman, who created a sensation when he joined Yorkshire in mid-match back in 2001, walked into Headingley yesterday and asked to be released from his contract, which runs until the end of 2007.

After he had spoken to Director of Cricket David Byas, Yorkshire issued a statement which said: "Steven Kirby has requested to leave Yorkshire during his contractual period.

"David Byas and the board, with great reluctance, have agreed to this request and it is effective immediately.

"Yorkshire sincerely thank Steven for his efforts over the last four years and wish him every success in the future."

Kirby said: "My reasons for leaving Yorkshire are purely personal and private and I would like to keep them that way.

"I have made a lot of good friends at the club and I would like to thank them for everything they have done for me and for giving me the chance to play county cricket.

"I would also like to thank the fans for their support at all times.

"I feel it is in my best interests to move on from Yorkshire in order to progress my career but I stress that I have not spoken to any county or fixed anything up.

"Only now that I have handed in my resignation will I respond to any interest there may be in me from other counties.

"My decision to leave Yorkshire has not been taken either lightly or hastily.

"I have been a long time thinking about it but I was very conscious that we could have achieved promotion in the Championship right up to the penultimate match and I wanted to concentrate all my thoughts on that.

"I don't at the moment know whether this will be the best decision I ever take in my career or the worst. Only time will tell, but I hope that people will understand and respect that decision."

Kirby, who has captured 182 first-class wickets at 28.25 runs apiece, has easily been Yorkshire's most outstanding bowler since he was signed in an emergency during the match with Kent at Headingley when Matthew Hoggard got called up by England.

This season has been a disappointing one for him compared to his previous standards, but he still emerged as the leading wicket-taker among the pacemen with 31 Championship victims.

Byas is not the sort of man to stand in the way of any player who does not want to give everything for Yorkshire, but Kirby's departure still comes as a massive loss.

Yorkshire have acknowledged that they must sign at least one quality fast bowler for next season in order to boost their flagging attack but now the need is even more acute.

They already have their quota of two overseas players for 2004 in batsman Phil Jaques and all-rounder Ian Harvey, and will now have to get the best they can from an available player in this country or someone who is otherwise eligible to play for England.