MOIN Ashraf insists he tried everything he could to make his career with Yorkshire a successful one after being released by the county champions yesterday.

The Bradford fast bowler struggled to nail down a first-team place since debuting in 2010, due largely to injury and loss of form.

He enjoyed a memorable 2012 in Twenty20 cricket when he played an integral part in the run to Finals Day and the Champions League, taking 17 wickets from 16 appearances.

Ashraf, who last month had a trial at Hampshire, has been released alongside former England under-19s batsman Jonny Tattersall and wicketkeeper-batsman Dan Hodgson.

"To have played for this wonderful club since I was 15 has been both an honour and a privilege," said 23-year-old Ashraf in an open letter to the Yorkshire supporters.

"Not only has Yorkshire played a massive part in how I have evolved as a cricketer, but also it has been instrumental in how I have developed as a person.

"I have made a lot of memories here that I will cherish; playing in a T20 Finals Day, in the Champions League and being part of two very special years in 2014 and 2015.

"The supporters have always been very kind to me. When I have performed well, they have heaped praise on me, but when I've underperformed, they were the first to encourage.

"However, this is life. I leave this club with my head held high, knowing that I tried everything I could to be successful here. For numerous reasons, it did not work out."

Ashraf has not played a County Championship match in the last two seasons, in which Yorkshire have claimed back-to-back titles.

Their success has led chief executive Mark Arthur to compare them to Brian Close's team of the 1960s, who won six titles between 1960 and 1968.

Arthur said: "The 1960s, we can all virtually name the team. Some of the great teams in history, whatever sport it may be, you can name those players.

"When history gets written in a few years' time, I think this lot will also be bracketed with the greats of the sixties."