For cricket's traditionalists the game is built around that familiar summery sound of leather on willow. And perhaps a spot of milky tea at lunch.

But not for Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie, the vegan coach of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The outspoken 41-year-old has done the unthinkable and questioned the game's age-old use of balls made from cow hide because, he suggests, it is cruel to animals.

In the same interview he also said he wants the dairy industry shut down, angering one of his county's major sponsors.

Wensleydale Creamery, whose logo adorns the county's shirts, were not happy. Nor were beef farmers from the National Farmers' Union.

In his heyday, Gillespie was a terrifyingly fast bowler who took 259 wickets in 71 tests for Australia.