By Kevin Howells BBC Sport

The week that launched Yorkshire's Frizzell County Championship defence can only be described as a nightmare.

Against a Surrey side which could easily be compared with a Test-playing nation, Yorkshire were made to look extremely weak.

To add to their woes, one of their England stars, Darren Gough, was asking where some of his benefit money had gone.

Speaking on BBC Five Live's 'Yorkshire Uncovered', Rob Mills, the cricket correspondent of the Yorkshire Post, said someone from the club had to made "accountable" for a fiasco which has led to police being asked to investigate alleged financial irregularities.

There was further embarrassment when a letter was leaked to a journalist in which Gough's beneift committee had asked to club to contribute a higher figure than had been offered for around �18,000 of stock they had sent to the club shop last year.

Gough himself is keeping out of the dispute, instead wishing to concentrate on getting fit again.

The clouds soon gathered for Yorkshire

He hopes to net again early next week, but admits time is running out to be ready for England's first Test match against Sri Lanka.

How Yorkshire could have done with him for their opening match of the season.

Some pundits may accuse Yorkshire of not strengthening their squad over the winter and are now reaping the effects of that under-investment.

Young hopefuls

That argument would soon be despatched to the boundary by coach Wayne Clark, who has clearly stated that his and Yorkshire's job is to prepare young players for Enmgland.

Offering opportunities to young batsmen, such as Michael Lumb and Chris Taylor, is the club's strength and in previous seasons that approach has paid off with great success.

I would argue that it was established players who were at fault against Surrey.

Matthew Wood bagged a pair, Darren Lehmann was out cheaply and the bowling was not of the quality you would expect from gifted, proven talent like Chris Silverwood, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Kirby and Gavin Hamilton.

Yorkshire's bowling was taken apart

Of course, they can turn it around this summer, but to hide behind missing names such as Gough, Hoggard and Vaughan would be silly as, when fit, all three will be away with England.

A word of praise for Headingley groundsman Andy Fogarty.

He impressed me with his dedication to preparing wickets without the aid of "helpful instruction from coach or captain".

His first pitch of the season witnessed Yorkshire all out for 140 by tea on the first day.

So concerned was Fogarty by that, he went straight to the umpires dressing room to check their opinion - was the pitch to blame?

No was their answer - it was four of the finest seam bowlers in the country that had brought about Yorkshire's downfall.

The Yorkshire batsmen would no doubt agree.

Kevin Howells will be writing a regular column for BBC Sport Online as he follows Yorkshire's defence of their title.