The ECB's disciplinary process into allegations of racism at Yorkshire has seen a number of those charged pull out.
Seven individuals were charged over allegations made by former spinner Azeem Rafiq, but four of those have withdrawn from the process. Former Yorkshire captain and coach Andrew Gale refused to engage with it from the outset, calling the ECB's process "tainted".
Ex-England internationals Tim Bresnan and Matthew Hoggard withdrew on Friday, along with former Scotland bowler and Yorkshire second team coach John Blain. Hoggard claimed the ECB had "failed everybody", while Bresnan said he felt he had been "charged and tried without even being arrested".
Their withdrawals mean only former Yorkshire bowling coach Rich Pyrah, ex-England captain Michael Vaughan and Gary Ballance remain involved in the process. However, the Daily Mail report that Pyrah is 'evaluating his position' and could also pull out.
Ballance, meanwhile, has already admitted using "unacceptable" and "racist" language towards Rafiq during their time as Yorkshire teammates and met him in person last year to apologise. Ballance has also left Yorkshire and returned to Zimbabwe to continue his cricket career.
As a result, the report states the disciplinary process 'could be reduced to a showdown' between Vaughan and Rafiq. Rafiq has claimed that Vaughan told a group of Asian players that there were "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it", with current England spinner Adil Rashid and former Pakistan international Rana Naved-ul-Hasan corroborating Rafiq's allegation.
Vaughan, however, strenuously denies making the remark and the Telegraph, for whom he writes a column, reported in November that he is 'happy for the proceedings to be held in public and will appear in person to defend himself'.
In response to the news of Bresnan, Hoggard and Blain withdrawing from the process, the ECB said: "Individuals are entitled to choose not to participate in the hearings if they wish, but the cases will still be heard in their absence and we are satisfied that the disciplinary process in this matter has been both rigorous and fair.
"The ECB's investigation and disciplinary process has been overseen by an independent committee and specialist leading King's Counsel (KC). As with any case before the Cricket Discipline Commission, defendants are entitled to a fair hearing by an independent and experienced CDC Panel where they can call witnesses, and they can also challenge the evidence in support of the charge, including through cross-examination of the ECB’s witnesses.
"It is entirely the decision of defendants if they choose not to take advantage of this opportunity. At the end of the hearing it is for the independent CDC Panel, not the ECB, to determine guilt or otherwise and any sanction."
